Alex Pereira responds to Anthony Joshua after heavyweight urges UFC star to make boxing career switch

07/07/2024 11:41

Alex Pereira and Anthony Joshua have surprisingly interacted on social media.

The UFC champion recently defeated Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 with yet another power-striking display, landing a thunderous head kick to close the show.

‘Poatan’ has become a force to be reckoned with in the UFC, and has shown he packs a seriously powerful punch.

And former two-time boxing heavyweight champion Joshua has endorsed Pereira on social media.

He tweeted: “Alex Pereira should make a boxing debut one day.”

Pereira then issued a heartwarming response, replying: “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?"

Pereira could join a whole host of UFC fighters who have made the switch to the squared circle.

He has already fought once in boxing at heavyweight, in a lone bout stopping Marcelo De Souza Cruz in 2017.

Pereira also has an extensive background in kickboxing, where he reigned as a champion in promotion GLORY.

Francis Ngannou departed the promotion to make an appearance in the boxing ring, fighting Tyson Fury and most recently Joshua where he was stopped in brutal fashion.

The opportunity of lucrative paydays could lure in the Brazilian, who could comfortably make the heavyweight limit.

It is unlikely he will make an extended career in the squared circle if he did choose to pursue a boxing future, given he is focused on his UFC career.

The Brazilian has made an emphatic mark on the roster, and has picked up titles in two weight categories.

Given Joshua’s praise, Pereira could now follow up and explore the option given he is starting to routinely take care of many of the challengers at light-heavyweight in the UFC.

And the Brazilian has faced comparisons to boxing legend Mike Tyson and Terence Crawford already.

Renowned boxing trainer Teddy Atlas said: "He's got radar. He's got x-ray vision. He sees things other people don't see.

“Terence Crawford in boxing is that kind of guy. When you see things and you're that calm, and you're in that calm kind of environment, all you can be in, you see things and react just a little bit [faster].

"They call it timing, but he has special timing because he's that calm and he's got those kinds of eyes.

"Also when you get these kinds of results behind it [the staredown]. When a guy can go into your soul, it's like he's looking right through.

“There was Sonny Liston, there was George Foreman, there was somebody named Mike Tyson — it worked for them.

"[Pereira's opponents are] thinking, 'How come he don't feel like I feel like?' That's what they're thinking!”