Joshua–Makhmudov Not on AJ’s Path, Says Frank Smith; Fury 2026 in Play After Allen Result

Matchroom CEO Frank Smith dominated out a combat between Anthony Joshua and Arslanbek Makhmudov occurring following the massive Russian’s beatdown of Dave Allen final Saturday night time in Sheffield, England.

(Credit score: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

“AJ Is on His Personal Path” — What That Means

Smith mentioned Tyson Fury is without doubt one of the names that’s being talked about for Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) to combat in 2026. Though he didn’t point out Jake Paul, he’s clearly the opposite one. That combat would possibly even be larger than a Joshua vs. Fury combat, as a result of Jake has a far larger following on social media than the growing old 37-year-old Fury.

What Frank isn’t saying is that Makmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) is just too harmful for Joshua. A few of the photographs that the massive 6’5 1/2″ Russian hit Allen with would have brought on AJ a variety of bother.

Makhmudov was nonetheless throwing with huge energy within the eleventh and twelfth rounds in his twelve-round unanimous resolution win over ‘The White Rhino’ Allen final Saturday night time. The notion going into the combat was that Arslanbek would tire within the later rounds, lose energy, and grow to be weak.

AJ’s Punch Resistance Query 

That didn’t occur to a fantastic extent. He was nonetheless hitting simply as arduous in spherical 12 as he had within the first three rounds. If Joshua will get hit with the sorts of photographs that Allen did, it could be dangerous for him. That will be AJ’s second consecutive knockout, and it could mess up the cash fights in opposition to Jake Paul and Fury.

“Everybody desires to combat AJ. We’ll be working with, clearly, Arslanbek, transferring ahead on fights, however everybody desires to combat AJ,” mentioned Matchroom CEO Frank Smith to Boxing King Media, reacting to being instructed that Arslanbek Makhmudov mentioned he desires to combat Anthony Joshua subsequent, following his win over Dave Allen final Saturday night time.

Why Matchroom Received’t Threat Joshua Now

It’s comprehensible why Smith wouldn’t need Joshua to get wherever close to a fighter like Makhmudov. He’s too highly effective and all fallacious for him. At this stage of AJ’s profession, along with his punch resistance trying gone, he’s higher off preventing slappers like Fury or Otto Wallin. Jake is ok as a result of he’s a lot smaller, and the large purse Joshua will get would assist cushion the blow of him doubtlessly dropping.

Fury 2026: Nonetheless the Huge One for Matchroom

“In fact, they do. Everybody seems at it as their enormous alternative, however AJ can be on his personal path as to what he desires to do. The [Tyson] Fury combat is a combat that has been spoken about loads in 2026. Let’s see how issues play out,” mentioned Smith.

There it’s, Smith saying Makhmudov isn’t in Joshua’s plans. He didn’t state who, moreover Jake Paul, he’ll match in opposition to Joshua in the event that they fail to get the Fury combat. ‘The Gypsy King’ is wealthy past perception, with an enormous fortune estimated at $160 million. He could not wish to come out of his stately manor in Morecambe to return to the arduous lifetime of being a boxer, going to warfare with a tough puncher like Joshua.

If Tyson had some punching energy like Makhmudov, I might see him returning to the ring. However he can’t punch, and he could be pressured to go 12 rounds to defeat Joshua. That’s arduous work for anybody, particularly a chubby fighter carrying round 20+ kilos of extra weight round his midsection.

Bakole Talked about — However No Payday Like Joshua

“He can get the massive fights,” mentioned Smith when requested what Makhmudov can do now. “He’s now in that place with a win in an environment in an evening like that in a efficiency like that. He can combat Bakole,” mentioned Smith about an possibility for Arslanbek.

In some way, I don’t see Makhmudov being enthusiastic about preventing Martin Bakole as a alternative possibility for getting the mega-million payday preventing Joshua. The cash he would get preventing Bakole wouldn’t be wherever close to what he would obtain dealing with AJ.

Since 2015, Olly Campbell has introduced readers a transparent ringside perspective and a gradual voice on boxing’s greatest nights.