Arslanbek Makhmudov’s promoter Camille Estephan, has said his fighter is not going to England to face Tyson Fury to make up the numbers.
Fury announced his return today following a year away from the ring after consecutive decision losses to Ukrainian hero Oleksandr Usyk and he will fight in England, on Netflix, against Montreal-based Russian-born Makhmudov, who has registered 21 wins against two losses with 19 stoppage wins.
His last fight was in Sheffield, England, where he outscored Dave Allen over 12 rounds, in October.
Makhmudov, who is trained by the respected Marc Ramsay, and Fury will meet on April 11, on a Ring presented show, and Estephan said: “We’re not going to England just to show up. We’re going there to do everything possible to seize this opportunity.”
Makhmudov’s two losses both came inside the distance, to Italian Guido Vianello – who has sparred plenty of past rounds with Fury – and the formidable Agit Kabayel.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity,” said Makhmudov, who is 6ft 5 1/2ins to Fury’s 6ft 9ins. “I’m coming to deliver a War. Tyson Fury has been a big champion. I will be more ready than ever to leave with a massive W.”
Morecambe’s Fury, 37, is 34-2-1 (24 KOs) and he’s scored wins over Deontay Wilder, Wladimr Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, and Derek Chisorsa in his 18-year-career. Before the two Usyk fights, he was dropped but outpointed boxing debutant Francis Ngannou.
