Anthony Joshua has been warned to avoid fighting Arslanbek Makhmudov when he returns to the ring next year.
Joshua has not fought since his devastating knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, spending over 12 months out of the ring having also undergone elbow surgery.
The two-time world champion is expected to return in early 2026, planning to fight once or possibly twice before colliding with one of the division’s biggest names next summer.
Makhmudov has fuelled talk he could be the man ‘AJ’ returns against. The towering Russian, who trains for fights by wrestling bears and having members of his team hit him in the gut with sledgehammers, went to Sheffield on Saturday night and beat Dave Allen via unanimous decision, immediately calling out Joshua in the aftermath of his impressive victory.
While a terrifying prospect at a glance, Makhmudov has been beaten twice in his career, outclassed by Agit Kabayel in 2023 and stopped by Guido Vianello in August 2024, damaging defeats for a fighter who is still to prove he can challenge at the highest level.
While Joshua needs to hit the ground running when he does return to the ring next year, Johnny Nelson is not convinced Makhmudov is the man.
The former cruiserweight champion revealed he is aware talks have taken place but believes a fight against the 6ft 5in giant would represent a major ‘step down’ for Joshua who needs to be aiming higher at a pivotal juncture in his career,
‘Makhmudov was mentioned to Tyson Fury and he [Fury] said why would I be boxing that guy? He wants someone with a name,’ Nelson told Metro.
‘So why would Anthony Joshua want to fight Makhmudov? It would be Anthony Joshua stepping down to box him. It would look worse for him.
‘Personally I know the conversation was there but I would be very surprised they would be willing to accept the backlash from that because it kind of says Anthony Joshua is stepping down a level. He is world class.
‘If he wants to stay at that level he needs to be fighting people in that world class pool or top rated fighters in order for people to still give him the respect and value.’
Joshua was last seen flat out on the canvas after being floored four times but Dubois last year and a loss to Makhmudov on the comeback trail would be enough to finish his career for good, Nelson claimed.
‘It is a risk, too. I don’t expect Joshua to be turned over by Makhmudov but if he were to get turned over by him then it’s over. There’s no excuse, it would be done,’ Nelson said.
‘Makhmudov has shown his levels, which is just above Dave Allen’s level. But below world title level. The problem with AJ and Fury is who they fight next. Because they are not the fighters they were. They are beatable.
‘There is still value to their name and value in fighting each other but they can’t accord to lose to anyone else. So they have to be smart and AJ has to turn up. Because we know sometimes he doesn’t. So he has to be smart in the gamble he takes.’
Johnny Nelson has launched That Boxing Show, bringing honest fight analysis, bold predictions, and insider stories. Available now on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ThatBoxingShow