AG vs. Mahmudov 2026? The Russian giant says “the deal is underway”

Arslanbek Mahmudov says he has spoken to Anthony Joshua and they have agreed to fight in 2026 if he emerges victorious in his 12-round fight against British heavyweight Dave Allen on Saturday, October 11 at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England.

AJ’s dangerous promise

It would be a dangerous fight for Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) to face the 6’5 1/2″ Makhmudov, because he is strong, hits hard, and is deadly in the early rounds. Joshua will have to come out with slow punches, otherwise he will end up losing in the first two rounds at the hands of Makhmudov.

First, he has to defeat Dave Allen

Mahmudov (20-2, 19 KO) was brought in in an attempt to use him as a stepping stone to get Allen fighting former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder next.

This fight, if it happens, is more about giving the 33-year-old veteran Allen (24-7-2, 19 KO) a chance to earn life-changing money to buy things like a nice house. Mahmudov has his own dreams, and they are much bigger, as he faces Joshua in 2026.

Allen vs. Makhmudv will be shown Live on DAZN This Saturday, October 11 at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT.

“You give me the words” – Conversation

“I offered him the fight. He said, ‘Well, we can do it next year.’ And I said, ‘Okay, give me the words.’ He said, ‘Okay,’” he said. Arslanbek Mahmudov Boxing news About the recent conversation he had with Anthony Joshua.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has yet to say who he wants Joshua to fight in early 2026, other than Jake Paul. This fight will depend on whether Jake wins his exhibition match on November 14 against Gervonta Davis.

“It’s a good opportunity for the sport. He lost to a couple of guys (Mihai Nestor and Mammaddrasul Majidov) in the European Championship and the World Championship. I beat both of those guys,” Mahmudov said of Joshua.

Both fighters have shown weakness recently. Makhmudov suffered knockout losses to Guido Vianello and Ajit Kabayel. For his part, Joshua has lost to Daniel Dubois and twice to Oleksandr Usyk in the last four years since 2021.

“We have the same symmetry. Same height, same weight, same age,” Arlesanbek said of him and AJ.