Arslanbek Makhmudov is so intimidating that even his upcoming opponent, Dave Allen, admits he is ‘scared’ of him.Allen picked Makhmudov out of a list of five potential dance partners for his Sheffield headliner on October 11 because he felt the fear would whip him up into career-best shape. One glance at Makhmudov and it’s easy to understand Allen’s stance.His furrowed brows, chiselled features and disproportionately thick neck are reminiscent of a James Bond villain.The towering 6ft 5in Russian exudes danger, and his terrifying training methods further reinforce this image.When he isn’t bludgeoning sparring partners, Makhmudov wrestles with bears and conditions his hulking body with a sledgehammer (yes, you read that right).Asked what motivates him to perform such daring feats, Makhmudov told talkSPORT.com: “Sometimes I have some crazy ideas.“For example, with the bear, my friends gave me the idea, and it was new for me [so I did it].“For me, it was interesting. All my life, from when I was a kid, I was challenging myself all the time.“For example, if somebody told me, ‘Don’t touch the electricity, because it can kill you,’ I would go and touch it.“If someone says I cannot do it, I have to do it. “Once, I remember, it was at night and very dark, and I had the idea to go to the beach while there was a storm.Instagram - Arslanbek MakhmudovMakhmudov conditions his body with a sledhammer and wrestles with bears[/caption]GettyMakhmudov and Allen square off on Saturday night[/caption]“I was scared, but I decided to go into the water and swim… It was so scary, but I tried it.“I have always challenged myself. That’s why sometimes I do this crazy training.”It is this very mindset that influences Makhmudov’s all-action fighting style.The 36-year-old doesn’t shy away from gunfights and puts himself directly in the firing line in search of the finish.For his first 18 professional contests, the strategy paid off, with Makhmudov blasting his way through domestic and European-level opposition with relative ease.It wasn’t until he suffered a stoppage loss to Agit Kabayel in December 2023 that cracks began to form in his aura of invincibility.Makhmudov is one of the most physically imposing fighters in boxing todayGETTY A subsequent defeat to Guido Vianello, courtesy of a brutal eye injury, saw Makhmudov’s stock fall tenfold.But the Montreal-based fighter is hoping that victory against Allen will provide him with an opportunity to claw his way back up the heavyweight mountain.What did Arslanbek Makhmudov say about the Dave Allen fight?“I am very motivated coming into this fight,” Makhmudov added.“I was unsuccessful in a couple of fights, but I am out to prove that I am at the top level.“I will be champion of the world. I believe in myself, and I have had this idea since I was a kid. I will show this in October, Inshallah. “I am here to show the English fans that I am a lion.”