Montreal-based promoter Camille Estephan has the job of cramming two enormous fights inside the space of two days when he comes to London to watch over Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, who he expects to retire Tyson Fury for good.
Prior to Makhmudov’s heavyweight collision with Fury at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Estephan has the task of promoting the IBF super middleweight title fight between Osleys Iglesias and Pavel Silyagin at Montreal Casino on April 9.
“We are going to do the event on the ninth, probably sleep for two hours then get on a plane for Fury-Makhmudov,” Estephan said exclusively to Boxing Social. “I don’t think people realize how much trouble Fury is in. Tyson gets hit, and if gets hit the way Makhmudov can hit? He’s going to get knocked out. That will be it for Tyson Fury’s career.”
Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) squares off with Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) following 16 months of inactivity and brief retirement from the former two-time heavyweight world champion.
“It will be a real retirement this time,” Estephan continued. “That’s what we want to do. We want to go knock him out and let him enjoy his retirement. He’s earned it. I just hope he is ready. We don’t want excuses.”
Fury also comes off his first career defeats, back-to-back losses against Oleksandr Uysk, where he has claimed he was mistreated by the judges.
“I really believe that he deserves a good retirement,” Estephan added. “He does seem to be retiring every time he fights. This time we want to make it definitive. He’s going to retire for good.”
Makhmudov has hit a bit of form since losing two big fights in close succession. The towering Russian lost by stoppage against Agit Kabayel in December 2023 and fell at the hand of Guido Vianello in August 2024. He rebounded with a first round knockout victory over Ricardo Brown and a wide points decision against David Allen in his last ring appearance.
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