Two-division ONE world champion Anatoly Malykhin (12-0) recently offered to train with boxing superstar Tyson Fury while the WBC heavyweight boxing world champion spent time in his adopted home of Thailand.
The interim heavyweight titleholder is busy completing preparations for his blockbuster ONE heavyweight world title unification with reigning king Arjan Bhullar (11-1), which goes down at ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 23, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Speaking ahead of his bout in the Thai capital, the affable Malykhin outlined his reasons for calling out the British boxing superstar.
“There can only be one king, one knockout king in Phuket, and that’s me,” the Tiger Muay Thai standout quipped with a laugh
“No, in reality, I’d really like to spar with Tyson, maybe teach him a little bit of wrestling. I know a thing or two about it.”
Malykhin’s mixed martial arts skills are undeniable, and he has demonstrated them to perfection so far in his incredible ONE tenure.
Since joining the martial arts giant in 2021, the Russian powerhouse has added four wins to his unbeaten slate, which now sits at 12-0, and he claimed both the ONE interim heavyweight and undisputed light heavyweight world titles in 2022.
While his heavy hands hands that have done most of the the talking so far, Malykhin has also made light work of almost all of his opponent’s takedown attempts during that period.
The 35-year-old’s grappling skills, honed on the notoriously competitive Russian freestyle wrestling circuit, have served him to great effect, and he believes his knowledge on the canvas would be important for Fury to learn – in case he ever decides to dip a toe into the world of MMA.
“My wrestling skills would certainly help. If Tyson Fury wants to try his hand at MMA, then he needs to learn takedown defense,” Malykhin said.
“As we all know, no fighter has yet been able to bring me to the canvas. So, it is safe to say that I understand something about takedowns. I think I would be able to help him with takedowns, just as he could help me with boxing.”
