Before super fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather on August 27, British professional boxer Anthony Joshua says he is willing to commit under Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) conditions to a specialist in this discipline.
UFC heavyweight title holder Stipe Miocic has been calling out Joshua for months now and he actually wants to fight the IBF, WBA and IBO heavyweight champion in a boxing ring.
Speaking to the British agency PA, the IBF and WBA heavyweight champion would probably be beaten by kick, elbows, and bite. However he doesn’t have time for learning the techniques.
“I would like such a fight,” Joshua said. “I would probably be beaten. The only thing the opponent could not do is the fixed assets. But, kick, elbow, and bite, whatever they want. With fixed assets, I can’t beat the gut. It takes a long time, and I don’t’ have the time for learning the techniques.
“But as far as aggressiveness and other rules are strictly concerned, I can fight so it would not bother me. That would not be a problem.
“If you look at most of the boxers who went to the MMA’s, they were beaten on the ground. James Toney and Roy Jones were phenomenal boxers but they simply could not compete in the cage because of the ground play.” Joshua added.
Joshua confirmed he will not be in Las Vegas to watch the epic and ultra-mediated fight between McGregor and Mayweather on the weekend.
Joshua is currently on his vacation and expected to return on a boxing match at the end of the year to defend his title. “I’ve been away with my family and need to get back to reality. Sitting on the beach getting my toes rubbed, that’s not the life of an athlete.” Joshua said.
“I’ve got to get back to the gutter, keep organized, keep disciplined. I’ve done my vacations and need to get back to the military mindset I live.” he added.
Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko faced
The 27-year-old boxer is looking confirmation of his title defense against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev either in Las Vegas in November or in Cardiff in October, however he expected a “probably overwhelming” victory on the MMA’s fighters.
He also ordered by the WBA to defend his title against Cuban boxer Luis Ortiz, which having given them 30 days from August 3 to agree the fight.
