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Toledo, Gatra.com- Arslanbek Makhmudov immediately bowed down as soon as the referee stopped the game. The Muslim boxer nicknamed The Lion picked up the win stopping by Raphael Akpejiori at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, America on Saturday July 1 or Sunday July 2, 2023 WIB.

The contest which was scheduled for ten rounds did not go very far. The Montreal, Canada-based heavyweight crushed his Miami, Florida opponent in Lagos, Nigeria by second-round TKO. Makhmudov’s big punches knocked down Akpejiori three times.

Makhmudov sent Akpejiori to the canvas twice in the first round and once in the second. The official stoppage time was 1 minute 43 seconds at the start of the second round.

Arslanbek Makhmudov remains undefeated and improves his record to 17-0, 16 KOs. Raphael Akpejiori went down to 15-1, 14 KOs and recorded his first career loss. In Australia, the event was broadcast live on Sunday July 2.

Ready to destroy Tyson Fury

Before defeating Akpejiori, Makhmudov said he was aiming for Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury. “I want to fight Joshua,” he said sky sports.

The 5th ranked WBC thinks he’s better than Joshua. Because he once beat two boxers who both destroyed Joshua as an amateur. Namely, Mahammadrasul Majidov and Mihai Nistor. “Interesting. How he lost to two opponents. I beat both of those opponents. We already have a story. It’s going to be an interesting fight,” he said.

Makhmudov was a heavyweight boxer known for his fearsome punching power, and at times he let his body be beaten like a hammer. “He hurt me but that’s normal,” he laughs.

Born in Mozdok, Russia, and based in Canada, Makhmudov is looking to fight his way into the world title chase. “All my fights are messages for my rivals. It’s my motivation to be the best in the world. I think it’s normal for all sportsmen,” he said.

“All sports people want to be the best in the world. It’s my goal to be the best and the first in the world, to show that I can do it. My uncle took me to a boxing gym and said you’d be like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. I remember his words and that’s always my goal,” he said.

He wants to set up a world championship fight “as soon as possible”, although he suspects it won’t be soon against WBC title holder Tyson Fury.

“I don’t think so because they have to fight with [Oleksandr] Usik. But of course, if I have the chance, why not?” Makmudov said.

“They gave me an opponent, I’ll do the fight. My goal is to destroy everyone. That’s all,” he said.

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