This was an opportunity sought just a few months ago by Arslanbek Makhmudov.

Original plans for his previous outing called for the Montreal-based Russian contender to face Raphael Akpejiori in a December 16 meeting between unbeaten rising heavyweights. The fight fell through one month prior to the show date but was worth revisiting when it came time for Makhmudov’s U.S. and ESPN-televised debut.

The 34-year-old heavyweight has aspirations of joining the division’s elite and was not interested in another walkover fight for his first ring appearance of 2023.

“This is a big opportunity to show I’m ready for the best guys,” Makhmudov said of his scheduled ten-round bout versus Akperjioli. “I come here for my best fight.”

The pair of hard-hitters will collide this Saturday in the ESPN co-feature from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Their bout is paired with a crossroads clash between local hero and rising contender Jared Anderson (14-0, 14KOs) and former IBF heavyweight titlist Charles Martin (29-3-1, 26KOs).

Makhmudov (16-0, 15KOs) is two fights removed from the lone time as a pro that he was forced to go to the scorecards. It came in a ten-round, unanimous decision win over former title challenger Carlos Takam atop a September 16 ESPN+ stream from Montreal.

His third and final fight of 2022 was to come versus Akperjioli (15-0, 14KOs), a 6’8” Nigerian prospect based in Miami who is one of the few heavyweights with a size advantage over the 6’5½” Makhmudov. There were differing accounts as to why the fight did not move forward, but Makhmudov moved forward with the December 1 date versus journeyman Michael Wallisch, whom he wiped out after just one round.

Nothing was learned that night, which is what he wanted to avoid especially for his first bout south of the U.S./Canada border. A win on Saturday is viewed as a springboard to title contention and the chance to live up to his uncle’s lofty expectations who once told a 17-year-old Makhmudov that he can become the next Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson.

“Of course, I come here to compete against the best and become the champion of the world,” insisted Makhmudov. “That’s my goal, my target and my dream. That’s why I started boxing when I was nine years old. I have big experience as an amateur and that helps me as a professional. I’m here for that.

I just have to go and do my best. I have to do everything to win.”

Makhmudov is a -900 favorite to prevail according to bet365 sportsbook, who views Akpejiori as a +550 underdog in just his third fight versus an opponent with a winning record.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox