Arslanbek Makhmudov has good reminiscences from going through Guido Vianello within the novice ranks. Within the small hours of Sunday morning, 9 years on from that World Sequence of Boxing conflict, the heavyweight duo lastly meet once more as professionals.
Their 2015 assembly in Milan noticed Makhmudov emerge victorious after Vianello suffered an ear damage in a hard-hitting 4 rounds, and the Canada-based Russian, nicknamed ‘The Lion’, has each intention of triumphing on this weekend’s 10-rounder, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
What’s totally different, although, is the 35-year-old has had three months’ preparation for this contest after stopping Miljan Rovcanin within the second spherical in Might, not like the relentless, globe-trotting nature of life on the outdated WSB circuit.
“It was a difficult time and a difficult fight because we did a fight every two weeks – can you imagine?” Makhmudov instructed Sky Sports activities. “It was so crazy.
“I had one struggle in Azerbaijan, one struggle in Venezuela after which this struggle in Italy. Treble fights had been loopy, nevertheless it was a great expertise.
“Even though it was a long time ago, I remember this, but we both became professional and became more experienced. It’s not the same time, of course, but I go to do my job the best, like always, and to win.”
The knockout of Serbia’s Rovcanin in Shawinigan, Quebec, marked Makhmudov’s 18th stoppage within the 19 wins he has chalked up since turning skilled in 2017 and marked the right means to reply to his solely defeat in these seven years.
That got here within the battle of the unbeatens in Riyadh final December, when the 35-year-old was dropped 3 times in opposition to Agit Kabayel earlier than the competition was ultimately halted within the fourth spherical.
Makhmudov was severely hampered in that struggle by a damaged proper hand which he sustained within the second spherical and would subsequently require surgical procedure on, though on the time he had no thought of the extent of the injury he had sustained.
“I didn’t realise it had happened,” Makhmudov mentioned. “I broke it in two places, but I didn’t feel pain.
“Throughout the struggle, I perceive I can’t punch – I wish to punch, however my proper says ‘no’. I attempted, tried and tried, nevertheless it simply wasn’t working.
“Even after the fight, I took off the gloves and saw my hand was swollen, and I saw the X-ray where there were two fractures.
“They mentioned ‘you do not really feel any ache?’, I mentioned ‘no’, they usually mentioned to me ‘you need to cry now since you’ve had the bone transfer!’ – however I did not really feel something.”
Vianello (12-2-1 (10)) is coming into the rematch with Makhmudov in Quebec City as part of this weekend’s Top Rank card on the back of a split-decision loss to Efe Ajagba back in April.
Makhmudov, who these days fights out of Montreal, stopped short of promising another stoppage from an explosive display of his punching power, yet has only one thing on his mind going into this showdown with an old rival.
Vianello is up subsequent for Makhmudov
“I never can say that,” Makhmudov mentioned on the opportunity of ending inside the gap. “I always have one goal, to destroy him, anyone who comes against me. This is what I want to do, inshallah, and we will see.
“I do not know what he’ll do, however he fights extra like a typical novice fighter. He has excellent footwork and a great jab, so we’ll do one thing to win.”
Watch Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Guido Vianello on Sunday’s Top Rank card, live on Sky Sports Action from 1am. Additionally stream with NOW.
