When it comes to crossover clashes, it’s predominantly MMA fighters who step into the squared circle looking to shake up the combat sports scene.
When it comes to crossover clashes, it’s predominantly MMA fighters who step into the squared circle looking to shake up the combat sports scene. Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been front and center for such occasions, as he blasted former UFC champion Francis Ngannou inside two rounds in March 2024. Joshua even fought Jake Paul last time out in December and knocked out the YouTuber inside six rounds. But as Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) prepares for a bout against Kristian Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) on July 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the 36-year-old Brit revealed that he has also contemplated competing in the cage. “Believe me, I was thinking, why don't I step over into one of their territories, because they keep on coming over into our territory,” Joshua told The Ring’s CEO, Rick Reeno, on the "Mr. Verzace Podcast." “Obviously, this is big business. It's big boxing. It's heavyweight boxing. You are talking about the best in their chosen field. MMA, kickboxing, these aren't amateurs. These are actually experienced fighters. But it would be good if one of us went into that side, and we see how we get on over there. “Let's say I was to crossover into MMA. It wouldn't be as big as them coming over into boxing. Boxing is just the pinnacle of combat sport, right?” In recent years, the likes of James Toney, Claressa Shields, and Amanda Serrano have all competed in MMA. Joshua’s comments arrived on the heels of Rico Verhoeven giving Joshua’s teammate Oleksandr Usyk everything he could handle in a hotly competitive fight last month in Egypt. The Ring, IBF, WBA and WBC champion survived uncharted waters and outlasted Verhoeven with an 11th-round stoppage win. “Rico, man, he did well. He did his thing. He surprised me,” Joshua said. As Joshua talked about competing in MMA, the conversation also focused on his bread and butter, which is big-time boxing bouts. AJ said he plans to fight until he's 40, and he wants to take on everyone, including Tyson Fury, Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Fabio Wardley, and Deontay Wilder. If Joshua were to compete in a crossover fight, however, it wouldn’t be against an obscure bloke. “One-hundred percent [I would want to fight a guy with name value], so that means it's big business then,” Joshua said. “MMA, kickboxing, or boxing. It can be done. I believe it should be done. I think that'll be the next thing that we want to see. … But I was thinking about it. Those guys keep on coming over into our territory. It'll be interesting to see who the [next] one will be to cross over into their territory.” Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram : @ManoukAkopyan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MoEEHcrqPw
