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Arslanbek Makhmudov: from fighting bears to fighting Tyson Fury

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Author: Sean Crose

Many people were undoubtedly shocked when Arslanbek Makhmudov literally lifted Tyson Fury into the air while both men argued at a press conference on Thursday. Fury laughed it off, but it only confirmed that Makhmudov was not intimidated. Intimidation is something Fury is quite good at. Take a look at his aggressive behavior before his 2015 heavyweight championship fight against then-defending champion Wladimir Klitschko. Fury didn’t just get into his man’s head… maybe that’s why he won the title. There’s no denying that Klitschko didn’t look like himself that night.

Makhmudov, on the other hand, seems to be a different kind of animal. He’s clearly the underdog heading into this weekend’s fight with Fury at London’s O2 Arena, but it’s doubtful the 6-foot-6 Russian will bow under the balmy lights. After all, he had faced earnest challenges before. The 21-2 fighter literally fought a bear. If you don’t believe it, watch it on YouTube. In the clips, this guy is pure Davey Crockett. No wonder he’s not afraid of Fury. “I’m that kind of guy,” Makhmudov said. “Since I was a kid, I was a very little kid and if I had a phobia, I took it as a challenge.”

He faces quite a challenge in Fury. This player’s only defeats came on the hands of the legendary Oleksandr Usyk. Moreover, Fury has 34 wins and a draw (in the first fight with Wilder). Moreover, Fury has different aspects to his skill set. In the match against Klitschko, this man was surprisingly slippery to hit. In Wilder’s second fight, which Fury won by stoppage, the guy became a destructive and aggressive force. Unlike the bear, Fury can adapt to what is happening in the ring.

Makhmudov may not be able to reach into his bag of tricks and pull out a up-to-date style, but he has ponderous hands and a perilous, outgoing style that can wear down a guy like Fury. If durability becomes an issue for Fury at the age of 37, he could find himself in earnest trouble. Still, it’s strenuous to see Makhmudov as having a great performance on Saturday – although he’ll certainly have his moments. He has ponderous feet and his punches, while powerful, are not delivered at a lightning-fast pace. Fury has faced ponderous punches before, perhaps with the hardest punch in the history of the sport (I have yet to find a fighter who punches or punches as strenuous as Wilder).

However, Makhmudov is undoubtedly aware that time waits for no one. I still remember Fury throwing his youth in Klitschko’s face many years ago. Now he is an older man. He may only be 37 years senior and Makhmudov is 36, but he has had a grueling life at times, both in and out of the ring. Add to that the time spent away from the ring and it is possible that Makhmudov will be able to perform this weekend. It may not be likely, but it would be ridiculous to say it is impossible.

Indeed, Makhmudov believes Fury underestimated him ahead of Saturday’s fight. “For him it’s a warm-up fight,” he said, “but for me it’s everything. I can’t lose my chance.” Tough talk from a tough guy… but fight fans have heard it before. Apart from that, Fury declares that he is focused on the task at hand. “I don’t want to mention names when I have a perilous fighter in front of me,” he quotes the powerful Briton as saying. “The rest can hide, but first I have to keep Makhmudov hidden.” So it all comes down to how well each fighter can perform in the ring in less than 48 hours.

Back to the fight with the bear: Makhmudov explains that the experience was not fun. “You can only understand its power when you are close to it,” he said. “In one second you can become like meat, just meat, just like that.” In a way, you can almost imagine Makhmudov speaking the same way about certain fighters, especially those who roar like Tyson Fury. One thing is certain, however: Makhmudova will not be paralyzed by fear when the opening bell rings in London on Saturday evening.

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Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues

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Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues

Derek Chisora accused Dana White of operating like a “slave owner,” but Conor Benn’s lucrative move to Zuffa Boxing offers a substantial counterpoint to the heavyweight’s attack.

Chisora’s complaint centered on White turning fighters away from his platform. That hardly explains the comparison, especially with Benn reportedly collecting $15 million for his first Zuffa appearance alone.

“Dana White is not my cup of tea, to be honest with you,” Chisora said in an interview with Fight Hub TV following the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua press conference. “Because the way he operates is just, he operates like a slave owner, man. You know, fighters want to fight on his platform. He tells them, ‘You’re not good enough for me, so go away.’ What is a fighter going to do? What is he going to do after that? That’s not right.”

Benn’s experience makes that accusation difficult to defend. His reported $15 million purse for facing Regis Prograis was followed by a world-title opportunity against Ryan Garcia. White’s platform has delivered both substantial money and a major fight for the British welterweight.

One boxer’s earnings cannot answer every question about a promoter’s treatment of fighters. But Chisora supplied no named example to support his accusation. Benn gives readers something concrete to weigh against it.

Chisora also argued that a fighter who performs poorly one night can improve the next time. Fair enough. Promoters still have to decide whom to sign, how many places they can offer, and which fights they want to stage. Wanting a contract does not create an entitlement to one.

His example concerns access to White’s platform, rather than restrictions imposed on someone already fighting there. Those are different issues, and Chisora never explained how rejection justified his language.

Asked about the dispute between Eddie Hearn and White, Chisora made his personal dislike clear. What he failed to provide was an argument strong enough to carry such a loaded accusation.

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Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown

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"Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown"

The long-awaited, all-British heavyweight blockbuster between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is officially set for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Backed by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, the defining clash will see both men pocket a career-high purse and settle the debate – to a degree – of this generation’s best UK heavyweight.

After more than a decade of false starts and fractured negotiations, the two former heavyweight champions will finally settle their rivalry in what promises to be the biggest commercial event in British boxing history. Broadcast rights have been secured by Netflix for a global audience and Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao may appear on the undercard, despite turning 49 one week after the event.

Crucially, Joshua’s camp held firm during negotiations to ensure the bout remained on domestic soil. Despite the potential for more lucrative offers overseas, ‘AJ’ refused to budge on the location, and the pair meet today in London to make it official.

Fans can watch live via the stream below, with the proceedings expected to kick off at 6 PM – though delays and gamesmanship may be a factor.