Arslanbek Makhmudov described Tyson Fury as 'the professor' of mind and boxing, framing the upcoming fight as a conflict between mental and spiritual aspects. He emphasized that the purpose of the contest is to identify Fury's weaknesses and then defeat him, expressing confidence that his spiritual strength will prevail. Makhmudov noted that Fury has been notably friendly and respectful in the lead-up, which he appreciates as a positive example for younger generations.
Makhmudov brings an impressive record of 21 victories, with 19 of those wins coming by stoppage, according to multiple reports. At 36 years old, he faces a 38-year-old Fury who has shown vulnerability in the past; Fury has been knocked down seven times in his professional career, including four times across two bouts with Deontay Wilder. These knockdowns highlight potential defensive flaws that Makhmudov may target.
This guy is the professor.
Fury enters this fight lighter than in his most recent bout against Oleksandr Usyk, where he weighed 281 pounds. As a former two-time heavyweight champion, Fury remains a key figure in the division, though he currently does not hold a title. Usyk holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles, while Fabio Wardley holds the WBO heavyweight title, illustrating the fragmented state of the championship landscape.
Makhmudov's confidence is bolstered by his previous experience fighting in England; he described enjoying his visit to Sheffield for a bout against Dave Allen, noting the friendly atmosphere. He remains undeterred by the prospect of facing a pro-Fury crowd of 60,000 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, stating that if his God is with him, the crowd's support will not matter. This spiritual resolve forms a core part of his strategy against Fury's renowned boxing intelligence.
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.
The heavyweight schedule is busy with upcoming title fights. Oleksandr Usyk will defend his titles against Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the pyramids of Giza, and Fabio Wardley will fight Daniel Dubois in Manchester two weeks before Usyk's bout.
I don’t know why but he has been very friendly. 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 agree with me – we can sell this fight without bad stuff.
His box IQ is very high. When he need to change the fight he know how to do it. He showed it when he beat Wladimir Klkitschko [to become world champion for the first time in 2015] and Wilder in some crazy fights. So this guy, he is a legend, one of the best heavyweights in history.
That’s why we have this fight – to find his weaknesses and then beat him.
Sheffield was very nice, with very friendly people. I love England.
No. When I go in the ring I hear this crowd and I say to myself: ‘Listen, these 10,000 are against you. But if my God is with me they cannot do nothing to me.’ This time [against Fury] I will go with my God again.
There is nothing they can do when you understand this. 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.