Is a heavyweight champion vs. heavyweight champion bout in the works?
Should Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor happen later this year, there is no shortage of fighters from boxing and MMA who want on the undercard. One of those fighters is Stipe Miocic, who wants to challenge IBF, WBA and IBO heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua.
While little has been discussed regarding a potential undercard, one has to wonder if it will include more match-ups between MMA fighters and boxers. Doing so would perhaps draw more interest from casual fans of either sport, but with Conor and Floyd on-top, would there even need to be much of an undercard?
MMA vs. Boxing Undercard
Earlier this year Anderson Silva rekindled interest from long ago, when he mentioned he would still be willing to face Roy Jones Jr. in a boxing bout. Jimi Manuwa and David Haye have mentioned being open to facing each other as well. Either of those potential match-ups would draw significant fan interest.
In 2015, Tyson Fury called out then UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez, for a fight as well. Fury also revealed he has had talks with Bellator, regarding a “hybrid rules” bout with an MMA fighter:
“Me and Scott Coker had many conversations in the past about coming to Belltor and fight. I’m the heavyweight champion of the world in boxing and I’d like to unify and switch. I’d like to fight the UFC heavyweight champion. I’ve been calling Cain Velasquez out for two years and then he got beaten, so it showed you what I said was about right.”
Is Conor vs. Floyd Actually Going To Happen?
While it may be interesting to fantasy-book the undercard, there is still the likely possibility that Floyd vs. Conor never happens. While both sides often sound confident a deal will get done, every day that passes the likelihood of it happening decreases.
It is also not outside the realm of possibility that the consistent rumours and speculation regarding this bout has all been a ploy by Conor, Dana, and Floyd to keep Conor’s name in the media while he takes a sabbatical from fighting to spend time with his newborn son. Perhaps an agreement was struck with Floyd to go along with the ploy. If the fight falls through, and each side leaves significant money on the table, it probably means a bout was never actually in the works.
Stipe Miocic Wants To Face Anthony Joshua
Current UFC heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic, recently stated he would love to fight on the Floyd vs. Conor undercard, and he has just the opponent in mind.
Miocic on facing Anthony Joshua in a boxing match:
“He’s an amazing fighter. I think it would be great, something different. I’d love to show what I’ve got. I think he’s an amazing fighter, nothing to take away from him honestly but I think it would be awesome.”
“Conor’s going to do it. It’s great cross promotion, I’d love to be a part of that.”
On his chances in such a fight:
“I did Golden Gloves and all that good stuff,”
“I just love the fight, I think it would be a great fight, I think people would love to see it.”
“I’m going to go out there and give it all I got. Listen, I’ve got the best coaches in the world and I’d definitely be ready for that fight.”
You can listen to the full interview below: