Arslanbek Makhmudov returns to the ring next week in Mexico. Even if he does not face a leading opponent, he did not skimp on the quality of his training camp.
Due to the complexity of bringing in training partners from outside Quebec, the heavyweight (11-0, 11 KOs) headed for New York in order to be able to put on the gloves with quality pugilists.
In the last few weeks, he had the chance to face Polish Adam Kownacki (20-1, 15 KOs) and American Joey Dawejko (21-8-4, 12 KOs). Many times.
“I didn’t know much about Kownacki’s coach,” Marc Ramsay explained in a telephone interview with The Journal of Montreal. I knew his boxer had to face Finland’s Robert Helenius in a rematch.
“I sold the fact that Arslanbek could make a great training partner for this fight. For our part, it allowed us to put on the gloves with two quality guys in anticipation of our duel against Pavel Sour. “
The other goal of Makhmudov’s presence in New York is to get him out of his comfort zone. It allows him to compete with boxers with different styles from those he sees in Montreal.
The art of developing
Developing a heavyweight isn’t always a straight line until a world championship fight. Makhmudov promoter Camille Estephan is going out of his way to find quality opponents for his foal, but it’s not always easy.
Some boxers ask for huge purses even if they have very ordinary boxing qualities. For the moment, the strategy of the Makhmudov clan is to keep the athlete active either through fights or through training sessions with quality partners.
“Then when we have some interesting opportunities, we have to get on the train,” added Ramsay. The difference in the price range between a normal opponent and one of the group we are targeting is large. “
“It’s really hard to attract a quality heavyweight to Montreal at a price that makes sense. “
To put together a major fight involving Makhmudov, Estephan may need a boost from an American television network. The purses are said to be around $ 400,000 to $ 500,000 per boxer. This is the reality of the heavyweight world.
Potential adversaries
For the moment, it is illogical to think that Makhmudov can face one of the boxers of the top 5 world heavyweight. It does not yet have the international notoriety to allow promoters to put the pieces of the puzzle in place.
Sportingly, he still needs time to polish his style in the gym and in his fights. According to Ramsay and Estephan, he still needs two or three fights before he can play in the big leagues.
What’s next? He must continue to see action in order to be ready if a tempting offer is presented to him. For now, he would be able to hold his own against boxers like Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker, Dereck Chisora, Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin. They do not raise their hands to face the Montrealer of Russian origin. They assess that the risk is too high.
Estephan will have to elbow to unearth a fight of this importance in Makhmudov. He is well aware of this. He’s not the type to back down from this type of challenge. Those who think otherwise do not know the businessman.
–
