Heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been issued a fierce warning about the heavy-hitting Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Makhmudov is 12-0 as a professional with all of his wins coming by knockout. Little is known about the man nicknamed 'The Lion', but last week he knocked out Czech heavyweight Pavel Sour in just 37-seconds to defend his WBC-NABF heavyweight title for the third time.
Boxing promoter Camille Estephan, who owns Eye of the Tiger Management, believes his fighter is ready for the big stage and will purposely avoided by fighters like Joshua and Fury.
"I believe Arslanbek has the type of punch that is not just heavy but quite explosive. Truly the kind of punch that could put anyone to sleep," Estephan told Sky Sports.
"We're looking for the titles and all the roads that lead to the world titles, which is our ultimate goal. [There is] so much action in the UK at heavyweight that we are certainly open to fight there. We think he's ready. It's a matter of making it through the ranks.
"Arslanbek is not the type of fighter who is likely to be invited by one of the champions. Currently we say he's the most feared heavyweight in the world.
"We believe Arslanbek has a punch that could make Wembley Stadium tremble so we are more than sure most heavyweights already fear him."
Only one of Makhmudov's opponents has made it past three rounds with him. His 37-second win over Sour was not even the quickest of his career, as Makhmudov dispatched Jaime Barajas in just 24-seconds in his professional debut back in 2017.
Who would you like to see Makhmudov fight next? Comment below
The Russian, who fought five times in 2019, has been inactive of late due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the lack of contenders willing to fight him. Makhmudov said his ultimate goal is to fight dethrone champions like Fury and Joshua of their titles.
"It's been 10 months since I got in the ring because there aren't a lot of boxers who want to face me," said Makhmudov.
"I am ready to face anyone. My goal is to become heavyweight champion of the world and I want to face the best in my division."
Fury is set to fight Deontay Wilder for the third time on October 9. The two first fought to a controversial split draw in 2018, with Fury going on to snatch Wilder's WBC heavyweight title in their rematch by way of a seventh round stoppage.
The WBO, WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Joshua will fight former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on September 25 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It will be Usyk's third fight in the heavyweight division.
