Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua recently showed his admiration for UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Over the weekend, Joshua praised Pereira on social media, suggesting that the MMA and kickboxing world champion should consider a stint in boxing.
He wrote on X (Twitter): “Alex Pereira should make a boxing debut one day.”
Responding to Joshua’s compliment, Pereira expressed his gratitude and curiosity about whom he should fight. “I’m honored you think so,” Pereira replied. “It’s always been my dream; I’m 37, and I cannot make a career in it, so who do you recommend I fight?”
Pereira, known for his knockout power, has achieved significant success across multiple combat sports, coming from the highest ranks in kickboxing to now having held titles at two different divisions in the UFC. Before his recent title defense, he has had a string of successes, with his only recent loss being to Israel Adesanya last year.
He is no stranger to boxing as he’s fought one professional boxing match, which he won by TKO, back in 20217. There is no telling how a career in boxing may have turned out for him, but one thing that’s certain is he would have been someone to fear, which is what he currently is in the lightweight division. But Joshua’s words might force him to think a bit, and he may just step into the ring one more time. That remains to be seen.
Joshua is currently on a winning streak in his boxing career, with four consecutive victories. He is hoping to become a heavyweight champion one more time when he fights Daniel Dubois for the recently-vacated IBF heavyweight title in September. He seems quite prepared for the fight so far, and the prospect of regaining one of the belts he lost is his fire for the match.
