Joe McConnell
Arslanbek Makhmudov has fond memories of his amateur bout with Guido Vianello. In the early hours of Sunday morning, nine years after that World Series of Boxing clash, the heavyweight duo finally meet again as professionals.
Their 2015 meeting in Milan saw Makhmudov emerge victorious after Vianello suffered an ear injury in four very tough rounds, and the Canada-based Russian, nicknamed “The Lion”, has every intention of triumphing in this weekend’s 10-round clash, live on Vscek.
The difference, however, is that the 35-year-old has spent three months preparing for this contest, after stopping Miljan Rovcanin in the second round in May, unlike the fast-paced, globetrotting nature of the old WSB.
“It was a difficult period and a difficult fight because we were fighting every two weeks, can you imagine?” Makhmudov said. Vscek. “It was so crazy.
“I had a fight in Azerbaijan, a fight in Venezuela and then this fight in Italy. The triple fights were crazy, but it was a great experience.
“Even though it’s been a long time, I remember it, but we both became professionals and gained more experience. It’s not the same period, obviously, but I go to do my job as best as I can, as always, and to win.”
The knockout of Serbian Rovcanin in Shawinigan, Quebec, marked Makhmudov’s 18th stoppage in 19 victories since turning pro in 2017, and was the perfect way to respond to his only defeat in those seven years.
That happened in the battle of the undefeated in Riyadh last December, when the 35-year-old was dropped three times by Agit Kabayel before the contest was stopped in the fourth round.
Makhmudov was severely hampered in that fight by a fractured right hand he suffered in the second round and later required surgery, although he had no idea at the time the extent of the damage he had suffered.
“I didn’t realize it had happened,” Makhmudov said. “I broke it in two places, but I didn’t feel any pain.
“During the fight, I realized that I can’t hit with a punch – I would like to hit, but my right hand says ‘no.’ I tried, tried and tried, but it didn’t work.
Makhmudov recovers from hand fracture
“Even after the fight, I took my gloves off and saw that my hand was swollen, and I saw the X-ray where there were two fractures.
“They asked me ‘do you feel any pain?’ I said ‘no,’ and they said ‘you should be crying now because they made your bone move!’ – but I didn’t feel anything.”
Vianello (12-2-1 (10)) will rematch Makhmudov in Quebec City as part of this weekend’s Top Rank tournament, following his split decision loss to Efe Ajagba in April.
Makhmudov, who is currently fighting in Montreal, didn’t go so far as to promise another stoppage after an explosive display of his punching power, but he has only one thing on his mind ahead of this clash with an old rival.
Vianello is the next to replace Makhmudov
“I could never say,” Makhmudov said of finishing within the distance. “I always have one goal, to destroy, whoever comes in front of me. That’s what I want to do, inshallah, and we’ll see.
“I don’t know what he’ll do, but he fights more like a typical amateur fighter. He’s got great footwork and a good jab, so we’ll do something to win.”
Watch Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Guido Vianello on Sunday’s Top Rank Card, live on Vscek Action from 1am. Also stream with NOW.
