Makhmudov Calls Fury "The Professor" Ahead of London Showdown

The atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium promises to be electric this Saturday night as Arslanbek Makhmudov prepares to face former world champion Tyson Fury in what the Russian heavyweight describes as a battle between "mental and spiritual" forces.

Makhmudov, standing 6ft 5½in and expected to weigh around 270lb, brings an impressive knockout record to London with 19 stoppages in 21 victories. Yet the 36-year-old from Dagestan approaches this bout with remarkable respect for his opponent, consistently referring to Fury as "the professor."

"Tyson Fury is the professor of mind and boxing," Makhmudov explains in his measured English. "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 will see who is more successful. Inshallah it is spiritual."

This mutual respect between the fighters represents a refreshing departure from heavyweight boxing's usual pre-fight antagonism. Fury, known for his verbal sparring, has maintained an unusually respectful tone leading up to the fight.

"I don't know why but he has been very friendly," notes Makhmudov. "I appreciate it because the young generation look at us as a good example. He is 38. It's not like we are 25. We are fathers and that's why he agrees with me – we can sell this fight without bad stuff."

The Dagestani fighter's journey to this moment has been far from straightforward. Born in the Soviet Union during turbulent times, he recalls hardship during the Chechen conflicts when his bus driver father and schoolteacher mother went months without salaries. His family eventually built a successful pharmacy business before he moved to Montreal nine years ago.

Now calling Canada home with his wife and three children, Makhmudov faces the challenge of fighting in front of a hostile 60,000-strong crowd. His response reveals deep faith: "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."

Makhmudov's recent form has been mixed. A hand injury contributed to his December 2023 defeat to Agit Kabayel, while August's loss to Guido Vianello saw the referee stop the contest due to facial swelling. Yet he remains philosophical about setbacks.

"They say everything happens for a reason. If I lose, this means I need to lose. I deserve that. I know I have to fix some stuff, improve some stuff, work more. There is no time to be sad."

Perhaps most remarkably, this heavyweight boxer once literally fought a bear in Moscow, an experience he describes as "very terrible" and promises never to repeat.

Facing Fury after tangling with a bear? "Exactly," Makhmudov smiles with relief. "I don't know how I will beat him but of course I believe I will win. I invest a lot of my time and I believe this is a good fight for me."