Arslanbek Makhmudov he knows he can’t afford any slip-ups at this stage of his career.
The heavyweight prospect will put his NABF title on the line against former world title challenger Carlos Takam in a scheduled 10-round contest at Casino de Montreal, Montreal on Friday.
“It’s very difficult for me,” Makhmudov (14-0, 14 KOs) told The Ring. “He is a good fighter but I am ready for any situation. It is a very good step for me to get closer to my goal of a world title.”
The 33-year-old, who spent 10 days in New Jersey training the likes of Joey Dawejko and Joe Cusumano, feels Takam should be quite the learning curve.
“He has experience, he has fought against the best like [Anthony] Josue, [Alexander] Povetkin, even in the last fight, he fought Joe Joyce,” the Russian-born, Canada-based boxer said. “[He has] good defense, he is a very good technician [boxer.] It’s a good challenge for me to show my technique and defense, but I believe in my technique and defense. I’m here to destroy everyone.”
That has led to comparisons being drawn between Makhmudov and unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.
“I am very happy when people say that,” he said smiling. “He is like my older brother, he helps me a lot, he gives me advice on many things, I really appreciate it. I respect Artur, I respect his boxing skills. For me, he is the best boxer.”
If Makhmudov can show that he has so much in common with Beterbiev inside the ring, it could be a nightmare for even the best fighters in the division.
“You have three, four guys,” he said of his hit list. “I would like to fight Joshua. You have Fury, who is the WBC champion, I would also like to fight him. You have Usyk has all the [other] belts and you have [Deontay] Wilder, a good fighter, a good name, why not? Let’s go. I would like to fight Fury and Joshua; They have a good name and they are good fighters.”
His trainer, Mark Ramsay, is pleased with the work ethic of the great heavyweights and believes that will give him an edge as he focuses on a world title.
“Every decision he makes in his life, a bit like Artur Beterbiev does, is an orientation for performance: how he sleeps, what he eats, I don’t have to check anything, he is very serious in the gym.” Ramsey said.
“I think this is the perfect opponent for where he is right now in terms of what we want to show and what we work on in the gym. We don’t expect a quick knockout, but with that kind of power it happens sometimes. There is a distance between what you have faced and where we want to go. I don’t want to take four steps at a time, I want him to put in the right fights to make sure that we not only challenge for the world title, but that we’re going to win and stay there.”
Takam (39-6-1, 28 KOs) represented his homeland of Cameroon at the 2002 Olympics and turned pro in France three years later. He won his first 18 bouts before losing to Gregory Tony (UD 8). Upon his return, Takam bested three former world title contenders: Frans Botha (TKO 11), Michael Grant (TKO 8) and Tony Thompson (UD 12).
However, Takam suffered setbacks against Alexander Povetkin (KO 10) and Joseph Parker (UD 12). And after stepping in 12 days early to face then-IBF/WBA champion Anthony Joshua, the aggressive veteran was stopped at 10. A loss to Derek Chisora (TKO 8) was followed by four straight wins, but he lost to Joe again. Joyce (TKO 6).
Makhmudov-Takam, in addition to the undercard fights, will be shown on ESPN+. The broadcast begins at 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT.
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