LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (March 9, 2020): Golden Boy and Eye of the Tiger Management are proud to introduce another exciting talent to American audiences as NABF Heavyweight Champion Arslanbek “Lion” Makhmudov (10-0, 10 KOs) has joined their co-promotional stable. Makhamudov joins the likes of David Lemieux, Yves Ulysses, Erik Bazinyan and Steven Butler in taking part in this historic co-promotional partnership.

Standing at six feet five and a half inches tall, Makhmudov is a Russian monster who weighs as much as 260 pounds when stepping into the ring. Before turning professional in 2017, he was an international amateur standout, where he competed in various tournaments, including the World Series of Boxing. As a professional, the 30-year-old contender has ended all of his fights by knockout, including a first-round win against world champion Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter to win the NABF Heavyweight Title. Makhmudov, who now calls Montreal, Quebec, Canada his home, aspires to conquer the talent-laden heavyweight division as soon as possible.

“I’m confident that with my team, Eye of the Tiger Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, I will reach my goal of becoming heavyweight champion of the world,” said Arslanbek Makhmudov.

“I’m thrilled to bring the top heavyweight prospect in the world to the U.S. with Golden Boy Promotions,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management. “We plan to send a message to the heavyweight division with his performances. I’m partnering up with Oscar, Eric, Robert, Bernard and their team, and I believe we will have a heavyweight champion of the world together.”

“In recent years, we have had somewhat of a renaissance in the heavyweight division,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “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 is a knockout artist who is joining our ranks after compiling an impressive record of 10 wins with 10 knockouts with our friends at Eye of the Tiger Management. We look forward to working with Camille Estephan and the entire team as we develop Makhmudov into a world champion.”

About Golden Boy
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming for RingTV.com and international channels across the globe. The company holds the exclusive rights to top boxers and has promoted some of the biggest and highest grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike through its 2019 partnership with streaming platform, DAZN.

MONTREAL (May 17, 2019) – Heavyweight’s Jonathan Rice (10-3-1, 6 KOs) and Arslanbek Makhmudov (7-0, 7 KOs) weighed in yesterday for their upcoming fight. Rice tipped the scale at 254 lbs. while Makhmudoz weighed in at 261 lbs. Rice who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing, will battle Makhmudov for the vacant World Boxing Council Continental Americas Heavyweight Title, tonight May 17, 2019, at the Montreal Casino, in Montreal, Canada. The 10-round main event is being promoted by Eye of the Tiger Management. The fight can be watched exclusively on punchinggrace.com

LOS ANGELES, CA. (May 9, 2019) – Rising heavyweight Jonathan Rice (10-3-1, 6 KOs) will take on the toughest test of his career when he battles undefeated rising prospect, Arslanbek Makhmudov (7-0, 7 KOs) on May 11, 2019, from the Montreal Casino in Canada. The 10-round main event is being promoted by Eye of the Tiger Management.

Here is what Rice, who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing, had to say about training, his matchup and more:

On his upcoming matchup with Arslanbek Makhmudov:

“This is a very difficult fight but I’m up for the challenge. He has tremendous power in both hands so I must execute the game plan we have in place. I have power in both hands myself so it’s going to be a very entertaining fight to say the least. These are the type of fights I must take to further my career.”

On his training camp with coach Wayne McCullough:

“I’ve made a lot of sacrifices during this training camp. I’ve got the best sparring possible with top guys in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Wayne and I have been working great since we got together three fights ago. I’m going to be showcasing all the stuff we’ve been working on in camp. All the hard work is about to pay off.”

On what a win against Makhmudov will do for his career:

“A victory against Makhmudov will sky rocket me up the rankings. He’s considered one of the top prospects in the heavyweight division. Many doors will open up for my career with a win.”

On fighting in Canada for the first time:

“I know it’s going to be a hostile crowd going into his backyard but I’m up for the challenge. To be great in this sport you must take risks. From what I’ve seen, the boxing fans in Canada are great. It’s going to be fun fighting I front of that big crowd.”

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 28, 2019) – Heavyweight Jonathan Rice (10-3-1, 6 KOs), who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing, will battle Arslanbek Makhmudov (7-0, 7 KOs) for thevacant WBC International title, May 17, 2019, at the Montreal Casino, in Montreal, Canada. The 10-round main event is being promoted by Eye of the Tiger Management.

Rice has three consecutive wins, two by knockout, under the tutelage of former world champion Wayne McCullough, who took over as head trainer in September of 2018. With McCullough in his corner, Rice is confident that he will come out victorious against Makhmudov, who will be fighting in his backyard. Makhmudov is originally from Russia, but now resides in Montreal.

“I have great coach in Wayne McCullough, and I know I can beat Makhmudov with the game plan we have in place.” stated Rice. “I’ve improved tremendously over the last year and my confidence is at an all time high. Fighting in Makhmudov’s backyard will be no easy task. I will have to be at my best to show the world that I belong in the same conversations with all the top heavyweights in the world. Capturing the WBC International title will open up many doors for my career.”

“Jonnie Rice has come a long way with Wyane McCullough in his corner,” Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing said, “Rice has a lot of heart and its going to be one hell of a fight. These are the type of fights that will catapult him up the ranking, getting him one step closer to a world title.”