GIANT Arslanbek Makhmudov claims he has an agreement to fight Anthony Joshua – so long as he beats Dave Allen.
Makhmudov – who stands 6ft 6in and weighs over 18 STONE – takes on hometown hero Allen at the Sheffield Arena on Saturday.
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And the Russian says AJ has been messaging him on social media to promise him a future fight should he win.
Makhmudov, 36, told Boxing News: “We just spoke a little bit on Instagram.
“Just friendly, you know. And I offered him as a next fight, he said, ‘Okay, next year then. Next year we can do it.’”
Joshua, 35, is yet to return since his September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, 28, at Wembley Stadium.
But after recovering from elbow surgery in the summer – promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the two-time champion is ready to return.
They have offers from Ghana and Nigeria for a comeback bout – with a super-fight against Tyson Fury targeted for next year.
Fury, 37, retired in January a month after his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, 38, but has continued to tease a return in 2026.
Allen, 33, meanwhile has been linked with fighting former WBC champ Deontay Wilder, 39, but he also wants to face AJ.
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He said: “I think if he (Joshua) returns, he’ll box Makhmudov, if Makhmudov beats me. If I win, I don’t think I’ll box Joshua, but that’s what I think will happen.”
Allen was a regular sparring partner of Joshua’s when the 2012 Olympic gold medallist trained out Team GB’s Sheffield HQ.
And he told Carl Froch: “I want to box Anthony Joshua. That’s the dream fight for any active heavyweight I think.
“I think he’s still the biggest money fight out there. I used to spar him here three times a week. I’d love to box him.
“That’s always been the dream. “We were good mates years ago and he’s the dream fight.”
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