Arslanbek Makhmudov and the lessons he learned from defeat

Heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov has been keeping a close eye on Guido Vianello’s progress in the pro ranks.

Makhmudov (19-1, 18 KOs), who said he had known Vianello (12-2-1, 10 KOs) since their amateur days at international championships, described his upcoming fight with the Italian as another obstacle in the way of his world title dreams. The Canada-based Russian will continue his career resurgence if he’s able to defeat Vianello when they go head to head at Centre Videotron, Quebec City in Canada on Aug. 17.

The 35-year-old Makhmudov, rated No. 11 by the WBC and No. 15 by the IBF, plans to steal the show.

“I know him from the amateur ranks. I’ve known him from the festival and also, I’ve seen him fight as a professional,” Makhmudov told BoxingScene. “This fight for me is like every fight, very important especially at this level. I mean top level because like every fight now, it’s close to a title. That’s why this fight is very important to us, a very big fight for us, you know.

“My way is to destroy any of my opponents who are against me, that’s it.”

Makhmudov returned to winning ways last May when he stopped Miljan Rovcanin in two rounds. It was an important win for the Russian who went into that fight on the back of a TKO loss to Agit Kabayel last December.

That defeat, Makhmudov said, came with lessons aplenty.

“It taught me a lot to be honest. First of all, I understand if I want to be the best then I need to know that nobody is invincible. Second thing is to pay more attention to preparation. Like I said before, I broke my hand but I didn’t know it.

“This stuff, you know, sometimes this happens, should be happening. That’s why I’m like I need to change the details to what I want to change to be the best.”

On Aug. 17, Makhmudov has another opportunity to make it two wins on the trot when he faces Vianello. Italy’s Vianello, 30, has gone 2-2 since winning his 10 and drawing once in his first 11 pro fights. Vianello lost his maiden fight as a pro to Jonathan Rice in January 2021 before suffering a split decision defeat to Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba in his last ring outing four months ago.

Vianello is hoping to return to winning ways against Makhmudov but the latter is confident in his own abilities and preparation.

“I’ve prepared well. Very good camp, good sparring, everything. Just need to wait until next Saturday to go and do my job well, that’s it. Vianello is a very good boxer. Good footwork, good jab. He has a very good amateur background.”

Vianello will be fighting in Canada, a country he calls home. The Italian made his pro debut in Toronto and now lives permanently with his family.

“I have lived in Canada for years. I like to live here because it’s comfortable for me. Going to training, it’s not a big city, Montreal. My family, I don’t have a lot of friends here, a lot of family, like it’s making me more focused just on my job.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” back in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].