Anthony Joshua is one of the most targeted fighters in the world, and a towering heavyweight knockout artist has joined the queue.
‘AJ’ has been out of the ring for over a year now. The two-time unified world champion suffered a tough stoppage loss to countryman Daniel Dubois in August of 2024 and has since had minor elbow surgery before resuming training.
He is now gearing up for a return, with promoter Eddie Hearn making it clear that he will face a top 20 heavyweight before ‘rolling the dice’ in a huge fight, potentially against Tyson Fury.
After taking Allen’s best shots and delivering plenty crushing blows of his own, Makhmudov said on the DAZN broadcast that he is now targeting Joshua.
“Yes. Anthony Joshua, you guy. I come for you, brother. I spoke with him already on Instagram, he give me word that we’re gonna fight next year … Anthony Joshua, let me know when, brother.”
Pre-fight, Allen had revealed to Seconds Out that he had heard talk of the fight happening should Makhmudov – who has 19 knockouts from 21 victories – win. The 36-year-old, known as ‘The Lion’, has only lost to Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello.
With a target of January, potentially even December, for his return, Joshua must tread carefully as talk of the Fury bout has now ramped up. ‘The Gypsy King’ had previously shut the idea down, announcing his retirement in January and largely sticking to that story.