Several years ago, I used to write for a magazine called La Zone de Boxe. One of my columns was titled “In the Manager’s Shoes.” The concept was simple: to step into the shoes of a boxing manager and, fight after fight, map out the ideal roadmap to advance the career of a Quebec athlete.
Today, I feel like reviving that series. Same mission, same passion: to think out loud about the strategy behind the ring.
And for this big comeback, I couldn’t dream of a better subject than Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The Lion
When Arslanbek Makhmudov arrived in Quebec, he was seen as a force of nature, a titan with devastating punches. His first victims fell one after another, often before the end of the first round. His rise seemed inevitable, almost programmed.
Then two setbacks came to slow his momentum: tough defeats that forced the Russian giant from Montreal to redefine himself.
Photo: Mark Robinson – Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Dave Allen
But great boxers are measured through adversity. And Makhmudov has just proven it. He returned to victory against Ricardo Brown, an undefeated Jamaican Olympian, then against Dave Allen, a British veteran known for his courage and granite chin. Two solid performances, without much fuss, confirming that the Lion has not said his last word.
The Crossroads
Today, at 36, Makhmudov finds himself at a crossroads. Too strong for second-tier opponents, not yet back among the direct contenders for the world title. This transition period is crucial. He must choose fights that combine risk, credibility, and profitability.
And for that, we must look toward England.
Photo: Anthony Wright – Arslanbek Makhmudov
Why? Because my friend Laurent Poulin said it on his podcast “Laurent s’écoute parler,” and also because the British market loves heavyweights. Because the purses there are generous and in pounds sterling. And above all, because Makhmudov, with his raw power and intimidating aura, would be seen as the villain from the East, a perfect role to sell tickets or television.
Fight 1: Frazer Clarke
Former captain of the British Olympic team, Clarke is a disciplined, athletic, and technical boxer. But his main flaw is his resistance. Many observers doubt his ability to take a real heavy punch. He is exactly the kind of opponent who would allow Makhmudov to make a spectacular demonstration while gaining credibility with the English public.
An explosive duel, probably short, but memorable. The kind of victory that restarts the engine.
Photo: Boxing News – Frazer Clarke
Fight 2: Deontay Wilder
Next, off to the United States.
A name that still sends shivers down fans’ spines: Deontay Wilder. The former world champion remains one of the most dangerous punchers of his generation, but time has passed. Wilder is no longer the lethal weapon he once was.
This fight would be a high-risk bet, certainly, but also a golden opportunity. Wilder is a big name, a world showcase, and an explosive fight between two giants with Thor’s hammer fists would attract the attention of major American networks.
The scenario is simple: the first to land, wins. And if Makhmudov lands first… he instantly puts himself back among the world’s top heavyweight contenders.
Photo: The Ring Magazine – Deontay Wilder
Fight 3: Anthony Joshua
Finally, the fight that would change everything: Anthony Joshua.
The British gentleman has had his ups and downs, but he remains a magical name. He draws crowds, cameras, millions. For Makhmudov, it would be the consecration: a chance to prove that he belongs to the world elite.
Joshua, though powerful and technical, has shown in the past a certain vulnerability to pressure and heavy punches. Makhmudov would have his chances. It would be the collision of two generations: the former champion seeking to reclaim his glory against the colossus coming back from the shadows.
Photo: DAZN – Anthony Joshua
The Lion in Hostile Territory
All these fights have one thing in common: they would take place in hostile territory. Makhmudov would have to face not only his opponents but also English or American crowds, local favoritism, and the pressure of major events.
But that is also where legends are forged.
If he manages to beat Clarke, Wilder, and Joshua, there will no longer be any doubt: Arslanbek Makhmudov will once again be a legitimate contender for the world title.
And, perhaps, the first heavyweight based in Quebec to truly approach the summit.
