Golden Boy apparently wants in on the heavyweight game.
The company announced Monday it signed Arslanbek Makhmudov, a Montreal-based undefeated Russian heavyweight prospect known for his ferocious power, to a multi-year co-promotional deal with the fighter’s Canadian handler Eye of the Tiger Management.
And the timing couldn’t be better, according to Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya.
“In recent years, we have had somewhat of a renaissance in the heavyweight division,” said De La Hoya, referring to the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. “The big fights, heated rivalries and constant media exposure that the heavyweights are getting these days is very good for the health of the sport.
“By signing fighters such as Arslan Makhmudov, we are doing our part in continuing this momentum into the future.”
Makhmudov (10-0, 10 KOs) is the fifth fighter from Eye of the Tiger Management to enter into a co-promotional arrangement with Golden Boy. The others include David Lemieux, Yves Ulysses, Erik Bazinyan and Steven Butler.
“I’m confident that with my team. … I will reach my goal of becoming heavyweight champion of the world,” said Makhmudov, 30.
Said Camille Estephan, president of Eye of the Tiger Management: “I’m thrilled to bring the top heavyweight prospect in the world to the U.S. with Golden Boy Promotions. We plan to send a message to the heavyweight division with his performances…I believe we will have a heavyweight champion of the world together.”
The deal means Makhmudov will appear on the streaming service DAZN, the network with which Golden Boy has an output deal and where there is an abundance of heavyweight talent. Heavyweights aligned with DAZN includes Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk, Michael Hunter, Filip Hrgovic, Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora.
Makhmudov is trained by Marc Ramsay, who also works with current light heavyweight titleholder Artur Beterbiev, Eleider Alvarez, Oscar Rivas and Lemieux.
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