Makhmudov Hails Fury as Boxing's 'Professor' in Respectful Buildup to London Showdown
Arslanbek Makhmudov has described Tyson Fury as very friendly in the lead-up to Saturday's highly anticipated bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The heavyweight from Dagestan, now residing in Canada, has set a tone of mutual respect rather than the typical bluster and malice often seen in boxing promotions.
'A War Between Mental and Spiritual'
"This guy is the professor," Makhmudov stated, referring to Fury with admiration. He elaborated, "Tyson Fury is the professor of mind and boxing. A lot of boxing is mental, and he is a master. But boxing is also spiritual. I am going to be strong, spiritual, and smart. You can say this is a war between mental and spiritual, and we'll see who is more successful. Inshallah, it is spiritual."
Standing at 6ft 5½in and weighing around 270lbs, Makhmudov brings significant physicality and power to the ring, with 19 of his 21 victories coming by stoppage. This poses a real test for Fury, who, despite his resilience, has been knocked down seven times professionally, including four times by Deontay Wilder in their brutal encounters.
Fury's Uncharacteristic Friendliness
Fury, known for insulting opponents, has mirrored Makhmudov's respectful demeanor. "I don't know why, but he has been very friendly," the 36-year-old Makhmudov noted. "I appreciate it because the young generation look at us as a good example. He is 38 in August. It's not like we are 25. We are fathers, and that's why he agrees with me – we can sell this fight without bad stuff."
When asked about Fury's strengths, Makhmudov highlighted his opponent's high boxing IQ, citing victories over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and Wilder. "He showed it when he beat Klitschko and Wilder in some crazy fights. So this guy, he is a legend, one of the best heavyweights in history." Regarding vulnerabilities, Makhmudov remained diplomatic: "That's why we have this fight – to find his weaknesses and then beat him."
Faith and Family: Makhmudov's Pillars
Makhmudov's confidence is bolstered by his faith, which he sees as a source of strength against the expected 60,000 pro-Fury crowd. "If my God is with me, then 60,000 don't matter. It's nothing. If God is with you, it's a real power and a beautiful power," he asserted. He prays five times daily, emphasizing, "I don't worry because His plan is always best."
His journey from a challenging childhood in Dagestan, where his parents struggled financially during the Chechen war, to establishing a pharmacy business and moving to Canada in 2017, has shaped him. "I was born in the Soviet Union, and this became the Russian Federation. But I am from Dagestan, and I remember, as a kid, a hard time," he recalled. Now living in Montreal with his wife and three children, who speak French, he identifies as Dagestani, not Russian.
Overcoming Setbacks and Bear Encounters
Makhmudov has faced setbacks, including a hand injury in a December 2023 loss to Agit Kabayel and a stoppage defeat to Guido Vianello in August 2024. He remains philosophical: "Everything happens for a reason. If I lose, this means I need to lose. I deserve that. I know I have to fix some stuff, improve some stuff, work more. There is no time to be sad."
In a lighter moment, he recounted a surreal experience fighting a bear in Moscow about a year and a half ago, which alarmed his mother. "It was very terrible, to be honest. The bear tried to bite me, and it was a good thing that never happened," he said, adding that facing Fury seems simpler in comparison.
With unwavering belief, Makhmudov concluded, "I don't know how I will beat Fury, but of course I believe I will win. I invest a lot of my time in training, and I believe this is a good fight for me. I will do everything to win, Inshallah, so that's why you cannot miss this fight."
