Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, is said to find the bout appealing due to Makhmudov’s fierce reputation outside the ring that promises an intriguing spectacle with a calculated level of risk. At 1.98 meters tall and weighing 120 kg, Makhmudov presents a formidable task, having achieved 19 knockouts in his 21 victories.
Makhmudov made waves after being linked to Anthony Joshua's potential comeback following a defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois. The Russian then claimed victory over Dave Allen with a unanimous decision in October of last year. Despite showing weaknesses when Agit Kabayel knocked him out in 2023 and a corner retirement against Guido Vianello due to eye issues in 2024, his resilience keeps fans interested.
Outside traditional training arenas, Makhmudov was filmed wrestling with a bear and enduring sledgehammer blows to his abs. These unusual practices have earned him comparisons to fictional characters like James Bond villains within UK circles.
Fans are eagerly watching to see if Fury will step into the ring with such an unconventional opponent or seek another path as he continues strategizing his future in boxing.