Dave Allen has made his prediction for how a potential Anthony Joshua vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov fight would go.
Allen himself went up against Makhmudov on Saturday, but struggled to deal with the imposing Russian giant, who won fairly comfortably by unanimous decision at the Sheffield Arena.
Following the win, Makhmudov was quick to call out Joshua, who hasn’t competed for over a year following his fifth round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
Joshua was once the unified heavyweight champion of the world but hasn’t held gold since losing to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, and he is keen to try and reach the top again with only a few fights seemingly left in his career.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, Allen first explained what it was like to go up against Makhmudov.
“He was good, you know. A lot of amateur experience. He was Russian number one for a long time. He can box, he’s powerful. He was just a bit too good for me, to be honest.
“A bit too big and a bit too good. That’s all right. It’s not as easy [to let your hands go] when you’re in like that. He’s a powerful man, he can really punch. He’s really tough as well. I’m like a domestic-level heavyweight, he’s a bit better than that. So it was hard work. I stuck it out and think I did all right, but come second best.”
He then gave his prediction for a Joshua vs. Makhmudov fight, having also sparred ‘AJ’ on countless occasions in the past.
“I think I’d pick Joshua to beat him. I think Joshua will flatten him in a couple rounds. But he’s a dangerous guy though, so it’d be a good fight while it lasted.”
Despite no longer being world champion, Joshua remains a target for plenty of fighters, and was recently warned about facing another heavyweight contender.
