Boxing fans are still waiting to see what will happen at the top of the heavyweight division. Oleksandr Usyk passed on a mandatory title fight against Joseph Parker, forcing the latter to set up a mult-championship bout against Fabio Wardley. Usyk appears to be waiting for a trilogy fight against Tyson Fury, which is yet to materialize.
Meanwhile, the “retired” Fury has openly spoken about possibly fighting Anthony Joshua. The all-British contest would be a true spectacle despite both boxers’ recent defeats. It would be a financial success for both fighters, but nothing is confirmed and it seems like neither boxer knows what to do next. We may have our answer when it comes to Joshua, though, as revealed by a fellow heavyweight.
Could Anthony Joshua fight Arslanbek Makhmudov in 2026?
In an interview with Boxing News, Arslanbek Makhmudov revealed he spoke to Joshua through Instagram in a “friendly” chat that ended with a near confirmation of a bout between the two.
“Yeah, we just spoke a little bit on Instagram. Just friendly, you know. And I offered him as a next fight, he said, ‘Okay, next year then. Next year we can do it.’“
Makhmudov’s opponent on Saturday, Dave Allen, even said himself that he believes Joshua will take on Makhmudov if the Russian wins. Surprisingly, though, Allen doesn’t believe he’d get a shot at AJ if he comes out victorious.
“I think if he (Joshua) returns, he’ll box Makhmudov, if Makhmudov beats me. If I win, I don’t think I’ll box Joshua, but that’s what I think will happen.“
Makhmudov is a menacing fighter with legitimate power, but that hasn’t always led to success. He lost handily by TKO to Agit Kabayel in 2023 and then to Guido Vianello in 2024. Allen has seven losses on his record, so beating him wouldn’t make Makhmudov a universally accepted opponent for Joshua.
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