Anthony Joshua sees great potential in Alex Pereira's boxing future: "The options are endless champ"
After watching Alex Pereira knock out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, Anthony Joshua continues to push the UFC light heavyweight champion to pursue a potential career in boxing. Despite 'Poatan' noting that his advanced age may hinder the possibility, Joshua is insistent that the 37-year-old's skills would translate well in the ring.
In response to Pereira replying to his original tweet noting his age, Joshua told the Brazilian that his "options are endless." The former heavyweight champion, clearly serious about his proposal, then suggested that Pereira reach out to his management team.
Joshua tweeted:
"The options are endless champ. I am sure something can be done. Drop @258mgt a line."
Before committing to MMA full-time in 2020, Pereira capped off his career as a two-division kickboxing champion with GLORY Kickboxing. As of July 2024, Pereira is one of just three fighters in the GLORY Hall of Fame.
'AJ' is coming off an impressive performance over an MMA fighter who recently transitioned to boxing. He knocked out Francis Ngannou out cold in the second round in March. Currently on a four-fight win streak, the 34-year-old is preparing to face countryman and IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September.
Has Alex Pereira ever competed in boxing?
Though he has admitted that he will likely not have a legitimate boxing career this late in his life, Alex Pereira has competed once before in the ring. The combat sports legend faced Marcelo de Souza Cruz in 2017, stopping him in the third round by TKO.
Pereira's lone boxing fight came two months after losing in kickboxing to his current teammate, Yousri Belgaroui, at GLORY 40. Despite being a two-division UFC champion, 'Poatan' often teases a move to boxing on social media.
As he continues to reign over the UFC light heavyweight division, Alex Pereira often trains with high-level professional boxers. The fighter's social media is often filled with training footage, mostly of his boxing-based sparring sessions.
Following his recent title defense at UFC 303, the details of Pereira's current UFC contract are not publicly known.