Arslanbek Makhmudov is about to leave for Saudi Arabia, but a week ago he learned that he was changing opponents.
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The original Russian (17-0-0, 16 KOs) faces American junior Anthony Wright (20-4-1, 17 KOs), while he originally faces Turkey’s Agron Smakici (20-2-0, 18 KOs). should ), who was forced to retreat.
“It doesn’t matter because I had enough time to prepare, the goal doesn’t change anyway,” claimed Makhmudov.
“He is an experienced boxer who moves quickly and has good defense.”
Big change
Nevertheless, the change is important, as his coach Marc Ramsay explains.
“Overnight we developed from a 1.80 meter tall left-handed and technician to a 1.80 meter tall right-handed boxer who moves around a lot. You just had to quickly find a training partner and bring him to Montreal.
“It’s less difficult than going from right-handed to left-handed. We are much more used to right-handed people. It’s not ideal, but it went well.”
Luckily, Makhmudov is used to this style of boxing, with Ramsay mentioning that it’s a bit like riding a bike for him.
“In the heavyweight division, the smaller guys are often problematic. But Arslanbek has seen a lot of boxers like that because he trained for years with Oscar Rivas, who has much the same profile.
Simon Kean Photo Martin Chevalier
Don’t fall for it
Simon Kean (23-1, 22 KOs) has a good command in hand with New Zealander Joseph Parker (32-3, 22 KOs).
“The challenge is really important, he’s facing one of the best boxers in the world, he’s complete, but what’s fun with Simon is that he’s complete, he always gives you everything he has to give,” notes Marc Ramsay, who looks after the box, the Eye of the Tiger boxer shorts.
“He is a boxer who is fast and has a lot of experience,” explains the pugilist from Trois-Rivières. His strength is his boxing IQ, I can’t handle his game.
“I’m not allowed to get in [dans son jeu] and go where he wants to go and I can’t let him make it, I have to take the lead immediately.