Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

Does Arslanbek Makhmudov Deserve The AJ Fight?

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Oct 15, 2025 12:43 AM ET

Matchroom CEO Frank Smith has dismissed a fight between Anthony Joshua and Arslanbek Makhmudov following the latter’s KO win over Dave Allen.

Joshua has not boxed since getting stopped by Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Prior to the Makhmudov-Allen fight, there were suggestions Allen could face Joshua if he came out victorious. That would offer Joshua a massive British domestic fight, serving as a ‘tune-up’ for a possible Tyson Fury fight next year.

However, with Allen’s defeat, Smith said that a fight with Tyson Fury is now one option. Frank Warren recently said The Gypsy King wants to return to boxing next year. A match-up with Jake Paul is still a possibility too. Paul was in talks with Joshua, only for talks to break down due to network issues. Jake will now box Gervonta Davis in a November 14 exhibition after which talks with AJ could resume, as fans wait for Joshua’s next steps.

“Everyone wants to fight AJ. We’ll be working with, obviously, Arslanbek, moving forward on fights, but everyone wants to fight AJ. Of course, they do. Everyone looks at it as their huge opportunity, but AJ is also on his own path as to what he wants to do. The [Tyson] Fury fight is a fight that has been spoken about a lot in 2026. Let’s see how things play out,” Smith said

The Case

The Russian heavyweight is a heavy-handed, aggressive puncher whose knockout win over Dave Allen demonstrated serious, stopping power. For a fighter like Joshua, who is returning from a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois, taking on a powerful, hungry heavyweight represents a genuine high-risk test.

By dismissing Makhmudov, Matchroom is bypassing a dangerous opponent whose style—aggressive, physically imposing—is precisely the kind that has historically caused Joshua trouble, adding to the perception that Joshua is seeking a safer path to a massive payday. Joshua’s first loss was to Andy Ruiz Jr., who is known for his fast heavy hands.

Despite Makhmudov’s threat, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith is commercially justified in dismissing the matchup due to low financials on offer. Makhmudov, while respected within boxing circles, does not possess the global star power or mainstream draw to headline a massive pay-per-view against a superstar like Joshua. The primary goal for Joshua right now is securing generational wealth, meaning only fights with Tyson Fury or crossover star Jake Paul make commercial sense.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: