Anthony Joshua Comeback Fight: Agrees to Battle Bear-Wrestling Russian Giant in Wild 2026 Heavyweight Clash
Picture this: A two-time heavyweight champ, fresh off a string of knockouts, steps back into the ring against a towering Russian brute who sharpens his fists by grappling grizzlies. Anthony Joshua’s next move? A verbal handshake for one of boxing’s most bizarre bouts yet.
Anthony Joshua comeback fight rumors ignited the boxing world Wednesday, as the British powerhouse confirmed a potential showdown with undefeated Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov—the self-proclaimed bear wrestler—in a blockbuster 2026 heavyweight boxing clash. Bear wrestler Makhmudov, fresh off a dominant TKO win over dangerous Dave Allen this weekend in Saudi Arabia, revealed the agreement in a fiery post-fight interview, calling it the “fight of my dreams.” Joshua, 35 and eyeing redemption after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, nodded to the matchup during a London presser, praising Makhmudov’s “raw power and unorthodox grit.”
The path to this heavyweight showdown traces to Makhmudov’s Saturday night demolition of Sheffield’s Dave Allen at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Dagestani, with an 18-0 record and 17 knockouts, lived up to his hype by dropping the 34-year-old Brit in the third round with a vicious uppercut. Allen, a fan-favorite brawler known for his pub-fight tales, hit the canvas hard but rose to applause, later admitting on Sky Sports, “That lad’s a monster—Joshua’s got his hands full.” Makhmudov, who trains in the Caucasus mountains by wrestling sedated bears to build grip strength and fearlessness, flexed for cameras post-bell, roaring, “Joshua, I accepted your challenge. 2026, let’s dance.”
Joshua’s camp, led by promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, has been scouting fresh foes since the Ukrainian’s unanimous decision win over AJ in September 2024. With Fury-Usyk II looming in December, Joshua’s timeline aligns perfectly for a spring 2026 Riyadh return, backed by Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority. Hearn teased on his No Jumper podcast, “Arslanbek’s a nightmare matchup—unbeaten, explosive, and that bear stuff? Pure theater. But AJ thrives on the chaos.” Verified through Makhmudov’s Top Rank management and Joshua’s Instagram story repost of the challenge video, the deal’s handshake status hints at a formal signing by year’s end.
Boxing insiders are split on the spectacle. Teddy Atlas, Joshua’s former trainer turned ESPN analyst, called it “genius marketing meets genuine danger” on his Hotboxin’ pod, rating Makhmudov’s 95% knockout clip a “red flag for AJ’s chin.” Public reactions exploded online, with #JoshuaVsBearMan trending on X at 50,000 posts by Thursday morning. Fans hyped the oddity—”Bear wrestling? This is WWE on steroids!” tweeted @BoxingScene (12K likes)—while purists griped, “Joshua dodging real contenders again?” from @HeavyweightHub (8K retweets). Makhmudov’s viral bear-training clips, viewed 10 million times on TikTok, have already boosted ticket buzz, with Riyadh odds favoring the Russian at +150.
For American fight fans, this Anthony Joshua comeback fight carries heavyweight implications beyond the ropes. With U.S. PPV giant DAZN streaming the potential bout, expect a $79.99 windfall echoing Mayweather’s $100 million hauls, injecting cash into Las Vegas gyms and youth programs amid rising youth violence stats. Lifestyle-wise, it spotlights the fusion of extreme training and mental toughness—think CrossFit warriors in California channeling Makhmudov’s beast-mode for personal bests, or remote workers trading desk dread for dawn hikes. Economically, Saudi’s $500 million annual boxing influx rivals Vegas’s $1.2 billion Strip economy, potentially luring U.S. sponsors like Under Armour into global crossovers. Politically neutral but culturally seismic, it underscores boxing’s role in bridging divides, from Dagestan’s rugged ethos to London’s urban grind.
User intent leans laser-focused: Diehard fans searching “Joshua vs Makhmudov date” crave ticket drops and odds, while casuals hunt “bear wrestler training tips” for viral fitness hacks. Joshua’s team, ever the showmen, manages hype with teaser reels and Hearn’s podcast teases, building to a formal presser that could eclipse Fury’s next splash.
In wrapping up, Anthony Joshua’s nod to the bear-wrestling Russian heavyweight sets the stage for a 2026 spectacle blending brutality and bravado, with Makhmudov’s Riyadh win paving the path. If the ink dries, expect Riyadh to rumble like never before—Joshua’s redemption arc just got its grizzly twist.
By Sam Michael
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