‘Mum, I have to go to Moscow as I am fighting a bear’: Makhmudov on Russia’s grizzlies, God and Tyson Fury

Source: The Guardian Link: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/apr/06/arslanbek-makhmudov-russia-boxing-god-tyson-fury-tottenham-hotspur-stadium-interview Published: April 06, 2026 Keywords: Canada The heavyweight from Dagestan now lives in Canada and describes Saturday’s opponent as the ‘professor’ of boxing “This guy is the professor,” Arslanbek Makhmudov says of Tyson Fury as he looks forward politely to their fight on Saturday night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. There is none of the usual bluster and malice of heavyweight boxing as the huge Russian from Dagestan shows considerable respect for the former world champion who is making yet another comeback to the ring. “Tyson Fury is the professor of mind and boxing,” Makhmudov continues in his functional but effective English. “A lot of boxing is mental and he is a master. But boxing is also spiritual. I am going to be strong, spiritual and smart. You can say this is a war between mental and spiritual and we’ll see who is more successful. Inshallah it is spiritual.” Continue reading... --- This article was automatically collected by the Observatory News Scraper.