Anthony Joshua tips Alex Pereira to begin new career in boxing leaving UFC champion ‘honoured’
ANTHONY JOSHUA left Alex Pereira “honoured” after backing the UFC champion to make a go of it in boxing.
Pereira has established himself as one of the top MMA stars since crossing over from kickboxing.
He has won UFC titles at middleweight and light-heavyweight and teased a move to heavyweight to become the first three-division champ.
But AJ – who knocked out Francis Ngannou in his last bout – believes Pereira has got what it takes to make another switch to boxing.
He posted: “Alex Pereira should make a boxing debut one day.”
Pereira replied: “I’m honored you think so. It’s always been my dream, I’m 37… I cannot make a career in it, so who do you recommend I fight?”
And Joshua, with his business hat on, advised: “The options are endless champ. I am sure something can be done. Drop @258mgt a line.”
Pereira has one of the most deadly left hooks in MMA and has sparred top boxers already.
Footage has shown him in the ring with 2016 American Olympian Khalil Coe, 27, and 22–1 Aussie heavyweight Demsey McKean, 33.
Several MMA stars have crossed over to boxing for mega-money bouts.
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Ngannou, 37, walked out on the UFC to pursue boxing and strolled into huge fights with Tyson Fury and Joshua.
He floored Fury, 35, on the way to a controversial decision loss before being KO’d by Joshua, 34, in March.
AJ now challenges Daniel Dubois, 26, for the IBF title on September 21 at Wembley.
Meanwhile, Pereira stopped Jiri Prochazka, 31, in two rounds at UFC 303 after filling in on two weeks’ notice after Conor McGregor, 35, pulled out through injury.