Makhmudov Ready for Mental Battle Against "Professor" Fury

Saturday night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will witness an intriguing heavyweight clash between two vastly different fighters when Arslanbek Makhmudov steps into the ring against former world champion Tyson Fury.

The 36-year-old Makhmudov, a towering presence from Dagestan now based in Montreal, carries deep respect for his opponent despite the magnitude of the occasion. Standing 6 feet 5½ inches and expected to weigh around 270 pounds, the Russian brings devastating power to London, with 19 of his 21 victories ending in stoppages.

"This guy is the professor," Makhmudov says of Fury, speaking in his measured English. "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."

This unique perspective sets the stage for what Makhmudov frames as "a war between mental and spiritual." The Dagestani fighter draws strength from his faith, praying five times daily and believing divine support will overcome any earthly challenge, even a hostile 60,000-strong crowd expected to favor Fury.

"If my God is with me they cannot do nothing to me," he explains with quiet confidence. "If God is with you it's a real power and a beautiful power."

Makhmudov's journey to this moment has been anything but conventional. Born during the Soviet era in war-torn Dagestan, he experienced genuine hardship as a child. His father worked as a bus driver without pay while his mother taught school during a period when government salaries vanished. The family eventually found stability through a pharmacy business before young Arslanbek pursued boxing.

Nine years ago, at 27, he relocated to Montreal with his family, choosing Canada over invitations from Germany, Japan, and the United States. His three children now attend French-speaking schools, creating a multicultural household that bridges Dagestani roots with Canadian present.

The path to Fury wasn't without setbacks. Makhmudov suffered a controversial defeat to Agit Kabayel in December 2023, fighting with a broken hand that went unnoticed until post-fight examination revealed fractures in two places. A more recent loss to Guido Vianello in August 2024 ended when swelling around his eyes forced a referee stoppage.

"Everything happens for a reason," Makhmudov reflects philosophically. "If I lose, this means I need to lose. I deserve that. There is no time to be sad."

Perhaps most remarkably, this heavyweight once literally fought a bear in Moscow, an experience he describes as "very terrible" and promises never to repeat. His mother's reaction was predictably horrified: "Are you crazy? Why you do that? You will never see your kids again."

Now facing Fury, Makhmudov brings both physical power and spiritual conviction to their encounter. The former world champion has shown vulnerability, having been knocked down seven times in his professional career, including four times across two brutal fights with Deontay Wilder.

Unlike typical heavyweight showdowns filled with animosity, both fighters have maintained respectful tones throughout promotion. "We are fathers," Makhmudov notes. "We can sell this fight without bad stuff."

Saturday will determine whether spiritual power can overcome boxing genius, whether knockout ability can solve the puzzle that is Tyson Fury. For Makhmudov, the answer lies not in the crowd's roar but in quiet faith.