By Ian S Palmer
Two hard-hitting, unbeaten heavyweights will be going at it over 10 rounds this Saturday, July 1st as Arslanbek Makhmudov of Russia will be taking on Nigeria’s Raphael Akpejiori. The bout from Toledo, Ohio can be seen live in America on the ESPN platform while fans in the UK can catch it on Sky Sports Action and those in Canada can see it on TSN 5. Makhmudov last fought in December when he halted Michael Wallisch after the first round to defend his NABA and NABF Heavyweight Titles while Akpejiori last boxed in January when he stopped Dell Long in the first round.
The 34-year-old Makhmudov fights out of Montreal, Canada and makes the ring walk with a perfect record of 16-0 with 15 Ko’s. There’s no denying his power as he owns a highly-impressive 93.8 per cent knockout ratio with Carlos Takam being the only man to last the distance with him and go past the seventh round as well. In fact, 11 of his stoppages have come in the very first round. Makhmudov made his pro debut in 2018 and has just 39 rounds under his belt since due to his tremendous knockout record.
Before turning pro, he had a fine amateur career and also fought in the World Series of Boxing. Makhmudov stands just over 6-feet-5-inches tall but unfortunately has an unlisted reach. So far, the biggest wins of his career have been against Wallich,Takam, Pavel Sour, Jason Bergman, Jonathan Rice, Samuel Peter, Erkan Teper and Mariusz Wach. Since turning pro he’s also captured the WBC Continental Americas and vacant WBC Silver Heavyweight Crowns.
As for Raphael Akpejiori, he’s 32 years old and will also climb through the ropes with a perfect mark as he’s 15-0 with 14 Ko’s. He measured 6-feet-8-inches tall and also has an unlisted reach, but has a 2.5-inch edge in height on Makhmudov. Akpejiori made his pro debut in 2018 following an amateur career of 14-1 and now fights out of Miami, Florida. He rivals Makhmudov when it comes to power as his current knockout ratio clocks in at 93.3 per cent and because of it he’s fought just 26 rounds as a pro. Akpejiori moved to America as a teenager on a basketball scholarship and also played football and made it as far as the Miami Dolphins’ rookie training camp.
In addition, He possesses a bachelors and master’s degree in mechanical engineering. He’s gone the distance just once as a pro as Terrell Jamal Woods took him eight rounds last June. Ten of his 14 Ko’s have come in the first round with the other four being second-round stoppages. However, He’s fought limited opposition as just two of his 15 opponents entered the ring with a winning record and will be taking a leap up in class this weekend as Makhmudov is ranked fifth in the world by the WBA and WBC and 15th by the WBO.
Prediction…
Both boxers are closely matched when it comes to power, age and size but Makhmudov definitely has the advantage in the experience department. The fight could come down to power and chins but if it goes the distance Makhmudov will have the edge there. This is an interesting matchup and I’m expecting Makhmudov to take it to remain unbeaten.
