Arif Magomedov looking to become a middleweight player

Jul

Arif Magomedov (L) with Derrick Webster at the weigh-in for their July 17 fight on ShoBox. Photo by Rosie Cohe/Showtime.

The man has a promising nickname for a fighter, in my mind. “Mayhem.”

Arif “Mayhem” Magomedov sports a 15-0 record, to go with 9 KOs, and we’ll get a chance to see how he stacks up among middleweights Friday, July 17, on “ShoBox.”

I reached out to his co-manager, Egis Klimas, to better acquaint myself with Magomedov, who’ll meet 19-0 (10 KOs) Derrick Webster in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

So, Egis, tell me about this Russian, how good is he?

“He is good,” Klimas told me. “His manager is Shamir Petrosyan, and I am helping my friend out here in the U.S. This is his third fight in the U.S. He stopped Darnell Boone in his first fight, in Vegas, in Round 1. Knowing Boone, that’s a surprising stoppage. We hope to see him fighting for a world title soon.” (Webster, who lives in Jersey, won a split decision when he met Boone.)

“Mayhem comes to fight, he’s a good puncher,” Klimas continued. “One to 10, he’s between a 7 and 8. He’s young, aggressive and keeps learning and getting better. I think he has big potential.”

The 22-year-old hitter is promoted by Main Events, for the record, so if he pans out he’d be on the GGG and Cotto side of the draw among the middleweight titlists, not the Al Haymon/Danny Jacobs side, if we are looking a bit down the road.

Fun fact: His boxing coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, also does the same for ESPY-wrangler Ronda Rousey. So, “Mayhem,” talk to us … you cross paths with Ronda, see her train … do you think Ronda could beat Floyd in an MMA fight?

“What a question,” Mayhem said, slipping superbly. “I’m happy to fight here in the U.S. I like to work with my trainer and with Main Events, they do a very good job in moving my career. Everything is good and I’m looking forward to stepping in the ring with Webster!”

So … Rousey vs. Mayweather, sir …

“You ask the tough questions,” he said, showing a slick defense.

See the ShoBox weigh-in photos

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