- Arslanbek Makhmudov is publicly lobbying to be Joshua's July warm-up opponent
- Eddie Hearn says Joshua will fight "somebody of a similar level to Makhmudov" — but not Makhmudov himself
- Fury-Joshua is being targeted for November with Wembley Stadium as the likely venue
Right then, Arslanbek Makhmudov has opened his mouth, and the internet has obliged. The big Russian, fresh off a twelve-round schooling at the hands of Tyson Fury in Riyadh on April 11, is telling anyone who will listen that he wants Joshua in July. "I am ready. I am waiting." Cheers, Arslanbek. We can see that.
Make no mistake, the poster would print. A 6'5" knockout artist with a 20-1 record against AJ in a summer stadium event is the sort of thing Netflix would bite your hand off for. But let's not beat around the bush: it would be an absolutely dreadful business decision by the Joshua camp, and I would be stunned if Eddie Hearn actually signed it off.
What Hearn Actually Said
Here is the crucial bit. Hearn told Sky Sports this week that he expects Joshua to fight "somebody of a similar level to Makhmudov" in July — not Makhmudov himself. That is an important distinction. Hearn wants risk-controlled, not risk-heavy. A man of similar level, yes. The actual man who just went twelve rounds with Fury and landed proper shots on him? No thanks.
The framework is already public: July tune-up, then Fury at Wembley in November under the lights. Netflix money, 90,000 seats, probably one of the five biggest British sporting events of the decade. You do not put that in jeopardy for a summer headline that adds nothing to the AJ-Fury build-up.
Why Makhmudov Is A Terrible Idea
Let's run the numbers. Makhmudov, at 35, went twelve hard rounds with Fury two weeks ago. He was rocked, yes, but he was also never stopped, never down, and landed some thudding right hands that got Fury's attention in the middle rounds. Joshua has not fought competitively since 2024. Ring rust is a real factor. And AJ, for all his gifts, has never been the best with big, dangerous right-hand punchers who walk through him — we all remember the two Usyk fights and the three against Andy Ruiz.
Put a rusty 36-year-old AJ in with a live-wire Makhmudov in July, and there is a genuine possibility the fight never reaches the November date. One well-timed right hand in round three and the Wembley card is off. The pay-per-view numbers, the Netflix deal, the mega-fight — all of it gone for the sake of a summer headline.
Who Should Joshua Actually Fight?
Hearn himself has been honest: "No one of serious note." That is the correct position. A July tune-up needs to be a credible name that sells tickets and gets AJ rounds without threatening the main event. Names that fit that brief include a game but beatable veteran, a rising domestic contender who is not ready for elite level, or a top-15 world-ranked fighter without true knockout power.
Think along these lines: a Frazer Clarke rematch in a stadium would sell out domestically. An Efe Ajagba or Joe Cusumano-level American opponent would tick the "credible but safe" box. Even a Jarrell Miller fight — pending his result against Lenier Pero this weekend — would be bigger than Makhmudov for ticket sales with much less risk.
Could Makhmudov Still Land Something?
Probably not Joshua. But it does not mean his career is finished. A Makhmudov-Joseph Parker final eliminator would be a cracking fight. A rematch with Agit Kabayel or a shot at Martin Bakole makes all the sense in the world. He is still a top-ten heavyweight in my book, and a year from now he will probably be back fighting for world-title eliminator status somewhere.
The problem is Makhmudov's camp know perfectly well that their best payday short of a world-title shot is a mega-name like Joshua. So they will keep chirping on social media, keep throwing the name in the hat, and keep hoping Turki or Netflix nudge Hearn into it. I suspect they will be disappointed.
Luke's Prediction
No chance. Hearn is too smart, AJ's camp is too cautious, and the Fury fight is too big to risk. My money is on a July tune-up against a durable mid-tier American heavyweight — someone with a recognisable name but no realistic chance of upsetting the apple cart. Saves the stadium card for November, keeps the PPV narrative on track, and lets AJ shake off the rust in relative safety.
Makhmudov will get his big night. Just not in July, and not against Joshua.