Arslanbek Makhmudov’s dream of facing Anthony Joshua has been dealt a huge blow by Matchroom CEO Frank Smith.The 36-year-old saw off England’s Dave Allen in Sheffield on Saturday night via unanimous decision.Allen couldn’t live with his Russian opponentGettyThe judges scored the contest 115-111, 116-110 and 117-109 to the Russian who has since claimed he will face former two-time heavyweight champion of the world AJ.Speaking after beating Allen, Makhmudov said: “I already have a deal with him. We spoke with him in Instagram. He said, ‘Okay go fight with Dave Allen and [we] fight next year. He confirmed. Now, it’s his turn.“I’m going to go for win like this night. I go for win, try to win [and] to make a good fight. I’m boxer. What am I gonna do? I’m gonna box.”However, Smith, Matchroom’s CEO, has dampened those expectations.Speaking to iFL TV after watching Allen lose to Makhmudov, Smith was asked if the big Russian had made himself a top contender to face Joshua.He said: “Not necessarily front runner. Look, we’ll be working with Arslanbek moving forward on what’s next, and we’ll work hard to deliver big opportunities.“He deserves big opportunities. But I have said time and time again that it is a fickle sport that we are in. He loses to Agit Kabayel, and people say ‘oh, he’s finished’.“Kabayel is in the top five of the heavyweight division, so we’ll be working on that.“[But] not necessarily the front runner for Anthony Joshua. AJ is on his own path of what he’s going to do. I know he [Makhmudov] wants Anthony Joshua, but we all want a lot of things.” Allen was roared on by the Sheffield crowd throughoutMakhmudov claims a deal with AJ is agreed but Smith dismissed those suggestionsGettyWhat is next for Allen?The 33-year-old is having a bit of a career resurgence despite his defeat last night.The White Rhino beat Johnny Fisher in a rematch after controversially losing the first contest, and Eddie Hearn has revealed that there could be some big fights on the horizon.Speaking after the defeat, he said: “Dave Allen will come again.“In his contract he has a comeback fight, but I really want to sit down with him because I think he’s one of the biggest names in British boxing. If he can keep improving, he can come again in big fights. “I’ve already had two phone calls tonight for big fights for Dave Allen. They’re looking at that crowd and going ‘who is this guy?’ At this time, I’m sad but I’m also excited for the future of Dave Allen.”He has never been a British champion and would like to achieve that before his career ends, and a rematch against Frazer Clarke could be on the cards.But either way, it appears Allen will continue to get good fights.Frazer Clarke is one potential opponent for AllenMark Robinson/MatchroomWhat is next for Joshua?As well as Makhmudov affirming a fight with Joshua was on, the Russian also told talkSPORT.com the same thing.He said: “I hope I will get a good opportunity with the next win.“By the way, Joshua told me on Instagram that if I win this fight, then I will fight with him.”Now, Smith initially ruled this out, and though the stance has softened, it does feel as if AJ will be looking elsewhere.Hearn initially named Tony Yoka, Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba as potential fights for Joshua on his comeback, looking to be early 2026.Of course, the big one he wants is Tyson Fury, with Hearn recently re-affirming that.And for that to happen, Joshua would need at least one and possibly two fights first.On that possibility Hearn said: “The thing that AJ wants more than anything, is to fight Tyson Fury.“That is the biggest fight in the sport… I’m hopeful.”