![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/anthony-joshua.png\")
\n\t\tJoshua\u2019s next opponent could be a man who grapples with bears for a laugh (Picture: Getty\/arslanbek_mahmudov)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tJoshua\u2019s next opponent could be a man who grapples with bears for a laugh (Picture: Getty\/arslanbek_mahmudov)<\/p>\n
Anthony Joshua\u2019s<\/a> return fight next year could be up against Arslanbek Makhmudov \u2013 the towering Russian who trains for his fights by wrestling bears and taking sledgehammer shots to the gut.<\/p>\n Joshua has not fought since his devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September last year<\/a>, the fourth and most damaging defeat of his career to date.<\/p>\n In the 12 months away from the ring, the former Olympian has undergone elbow surgery with hopes he and Tyson Fury can still meet in a long overdue Battle of Britain.<\/p>\n But after an extended spell out of the ring, the two-time heavyweight champion is expected to return against a lower-key opponent<\/a> in early 2026. <\/p>\n Makhmudov is one of the most fearsome-looking fighters operating in the heavyweight division, bludgeoning his way to 18 straight victories, 17 of those by knockout, until he was halted by Agit Kabayel in December 2023.<\/p>\n Makhmudov was stopped himself that night with another knockout defeat to Guido Vianello in August 2024 seeing his stock plummet.<\/p>\n Standing at 6ft 5in with a bulging neck, Makhmudov is a terrifying prospect at a glance with his wild training methods doing little to soften the frightening reputation he has built.<\/p>\n \t\t Footage on Makhmudov\u2019s Instagram account shows the giant grappling with a bear, also having members of his team take turns hitting him in the stomach with sledgehammers as part of his conditioning training.<\/p>\n Despite the fear factor, the Russian is in desperate need of a statement victory and takes on Dave Allen in Sheffield this weekend. Allen is himself enjoying a wonderful return to form with back-to-back wins over Jonny Fisher catapulting him back into contention.<\/p>\n Speaking ahead of fight night on Saturday, Allen told Seconds Ou<\/a>t he believes Makhmudov has been identified as Joshua\u2019s next opponent if he beats him.<\/p>\n \u2018The White Rhino\u2019 meanwhile could set up his own blockbuster showdown with Deontay Wilder if he is victorious, not convinced the Joshua fight comes his way.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tDave Allen remembers ‘his mate’ Ricky Hatton\t\t\t<\/p>\n The boxing world is still in mourning following the tragic death of Ricky Hatton in September.<\/p>\n The former world champion impacted the lives of so many he met inside and outside the sport with Allen among them.<\/p>\n Metro\u00a0was lucky enough to have Ricky as our guest boxing columnist for a year between 2021 and 2022, weighing in on the sport\u2019s endless stream of drama and previewing the biggest fights with us.<\/p>\n Speaking to IFL TV<\/a> ahead of his fight this weekend, Allen recalled picking up a copy of the newspaper on the bus to find \u2018The Hitman\u2019talking about his own career. <\/p>\n \t\t I\u2019m on the bus reading Metro, Ricky Hatton used to write a column in the Metro, and it said \u201cmy mate Dave Allen is fighting\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n \u2018And I was so f*****g proud. I couldn\u2019t believe it. Ricky Hatton said I was his mate in the paper. F*****g buzzing I was, on the bus! Because he was a genuine legend of British boxing. <\/p>\n \u2018He were bigger than boxing as well. We got on pretty well over the years, I used to spar Nathan Gorman down the gym in Hyde a few times a week. He used to grab hold of me and hug me. <\/p>\n \u2018At the last Johnny Fisher fight I see him in the hotel lobby and he kissed me on the head! So I always got on really well with him. He was my mate and he put it in the paper and I\u2019ve never been so f*****g happy in my life when I saw that.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019ll [Joshua] box Makhmudov if Makhmudov beats me,\u2019 Allen said. \u2018If I win I don\u2019t think I will box Joshua but I think that is what will happen. That\u2019s what I hear.\u2019<\/p>\n Asked why the opportunity to fight Joshua might not come his way even in the event of putting away the big Russian, Allen added: \u2018Because Makhmudov is a much scarier looking guy than me. He might look more of a threat. That\u2019s what I think happens if the result goes that way.\u2019<\/p>\n Makhmudov has also been in contact with Joshua, claiming the two have agreed a fight if he leaves Sheffield with a win this weekend.<\/p>\n \u2018I hope I will get a good opportunity with the next win,\u2019 he told\u00a0talkSPORT.com.<\/p>\n \u2018By the way, Joshua told me on Instagram that if I win this fight, then I will fight with him. He said next year we can do it, Inshallah.\u2019<\/p>\n Arrow![\"Allen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2239349245.jpg\")
\n\t\tAllen fights Makhmudov in Sheffield this weekend (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"MANCHESTER,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_266037734-6987.jpg\")
\n\t\tBoxing is still mourning the loss of Hatton (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Anthony Joshua aims dig at Tyson Fury as he provides update on boxing return<\/a><\/p>\n