Arslanbek Makhmudov, the 6ft 6in Russian heavyweight and Tyson Fury’s next opponent, has pushed his pre-fight preparation into jaw-dropping territory.
A video circulating online shows Makhmudov wrestling a massive brown bear in the woods, an intense spectacle that feels more like a survival challenge than standard boxing training.
The bear, reportedly 3 meters tall and weighing 400kg, lunges at Makhmudov, attempting to clamp its jaw on his arm.
Undeterred, the Russian grappler counters with a headlock before delivering a dramatic “bear hug,” showing both physical courage and mental fortitude.
A History of Extreme Training
This isn’t Makhmudov’s first foray into bear wrestling.
Back in August, he faced off with a similar beast as part of his buildup to a victory over David Allen, which earned him the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title.
Makhmudov told WorldBoxingNews that the idea began when a friend challenged him, and though initially terrifying, he embraced it as a personal test.
“It was very scary, for sure. It’s an animal, so it’s literally wild, but I took it as a test because I always like to be challenged,” he said.
The Russian fighter has since promised his mother this will be his last bear wrestling session, acknowledging the extreme danger involved.
He plans to complete the remainder of his training camp in the Russian mountains before returning to Montreal, Canada, to prepare for what he calls a “war” in the ring.
Fury’s Comeback: Motivated by Life and Loss
Tyson Fury, 37, will emerge from his fifth retirement to face Makhmudov on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Gypsy King’s decision follows a year-long break and two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, but Fury cites personal reflection and tragedy as key motivators.
Speaking earlier this month, he revealed that while on holiday in Thailand, news about Anthony Joshua’s misfortunes reminded him of life’s fragility and inspired him to return to the sport he loves.
Since 2019, Fury has been trained by American coach SugarHill Steward, who guided him to reclaim the WBC world title.
However, Fury has confirmed that he will enter this comeback fight without a trainer, nutritionist, or coach of any kind, relying solely on his own instincts and experience.
“Here’s what I need in boxing—someone to wash my gumshield out, give me some water, a smear of Vaseline, and leave the rest to me,” he said confidently.
Ticket Sales and Public Reaction
Despite some doubts about the drawing power of a fight against the relatively unknown Makhmudov, Fury remains optimistic.
He believes that his 16 months of inactivity will actually increase interest in the bout.
Fury enters with a record of 34 wins in 37 fights, including one draw, while Makhmudov boasts 21 wins, two losses, and a knockout rate exceeding 90 percent.
With Fury’s notoriety and Makhmudov’s brutal training stunts, this fight is already capturing global attention.
What’s Next?
Fans can expect both fighters to intensify their training as April 11 approaches.
Fury will continue refining his craft independently, while Makhmudov will focus on mountain-based conditioning and controlled sparring.
The upcoming weeks are likely to see more promotional activity, fight previews, and possibly further viral training clips from the Russian powerhouse.
The showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium promises to be one of the most talked-about heavyweight clashes in recent years.
Summary
Tyson Fury is ending his fifth retirement to face Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, following Makhmudov’s jaw-dropping training involving a 400kg bear.
The Russian heavyweight has a 21-2 record with an over 90 percent knockout rate, while Fury comes in at 34-2-1, fighting without a trainer this time.
Both fighters are preparing intensely: Fury with self-reliant training and Makhmudov with mountain conditioning after fulfilling his promise to his mother to stop wrestling bears.
The fight is set to take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, drawing global attention for its unusual backstory and the high stakes of Fury’s comeback.
