Makhmudov Before Fury Fight: "You're Against Me Now, But You'll Love Me Later"

In December 2017, Tyson Fury arrived in Quebec, Canada, exhausted and desperate, yet stubbornly attempting to re-enter the public eye. His protracted legal battle with UKAD over a positive nandrolone test had finally concluded, but Fury emerged from his suspension with a mind plagued by suicidal thoughts and a body deteriorating daily. Having been out of the spotlight for so long, he took his seat ringside for Billy Joe Saunders' fight with David Lemieux when he felt a tap on his shoulder from an eager young fan. As he stood to oblige the photo request, Fury found himself face-to-face with a veritable mountain of a man – a giant on his day off from a local gas station, who he will now face in the ring this Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Makhmudov caught the attention of the British boxing public after a 12th-round knockout victory over Dave Allen last October. That win significantly bolstered the Russian's belief in his ability to remain dangerous until the final bell – something he knows he might need against Fury, a veteran with years of championship-level experience.

Fighting in the UK is something Makhmudov says he will never forget. Facing a hostile crowd on his way to the ring in Sheffield that night, the fans' passion convinced him that another contest on British soil would remain a uniquely thrilling challenge.

Bookmakers, however, disagree, listing Makhmudov as a significant underdog. Despite endless retirement claims and two consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury – simply by being active again – is on the cusp of new, massive paydays, and the Russian has been chosen to kick off this latest comeback. This scenario allows Makhmudov to train with freedom, unburdened by the weight of expectation.

"Absolutely no problem. Whether I'm an underdog or people are against me. For me, that's normal. So, if you want everything to be perfect to be remembered, you can't become the best. You can't become a world champion. That's why we have to put ourselves in these uncomfortable situations to be the best, to be strong," he says.

Makhmudov entered professional boxing as a promising talent, primarily due to his raw power (19 of his 21 wins to date have come by knockout). However, each step up in class has ended in disappointment, with losses to Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello slowing his momentum. Looking back at these experiences, Makhmudov is candid about his shortcomings but grateful for the lessons these defeats taught him.

"It was very good for me because I realized I needed to be more professional. I need to be more serious in my career, in my preparation, in everything. To pay attention to more details, because I can miss a lot of them. Don't take it too seriously, but now I understand that at this level, every detail matters. The things I'm learning require me to be more professional, more serious in preparation. Everything. Discipline. Training, working on myself, every aspect. Small details can change the fight. So you have to take everything seriously."

Throughout his career, Makhmudov has trained under the highly respected Canadian coach Marc Ramsay. Encouraged to make this move by his teammate and compatriot Artur Beterbiev, the bond between fighter and trainer has flourished over the years. Reflecting on their work together, Makhmudov expresses gratitude for everything Ramsay has done for him both inside and outside the ring, transforming a hungry young talent who didn't speak English into the best version of himself.

"We have a good relationship, like between a coach and a boxer, but I think it's more than that because we can talk about family and life. We have good human relationships, not just as coach and boxer, but more human. For me, being a good person comes first. Not just with my coach, but with everyone. A long time ago, I once went to a Muay Thai gym. They told me: 'You can become a champion, but you have to be a good person.' That's the real victory – when you are a good person, when you set a good example. Of course, we also try to achieve good victories in competitions, but personal victories come first."