Alex Pereira has brutally responds to Anthony Joshua after UFC star urged to make boxing career switch
Anthony Joshua has backed Alex Pereira to make a switch to boxing – and offered him help to do so.
UFC champion Pereira 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.
Former two-time boxing heavyweight champion Joshua endorsed Pereira on social media at the weekend, and told him to contact his management company to find an ideal debut opponent.
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?”
Joshua replied: “The options are endless champ. I am sure something can be done. Drop 258mgt a line.”
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.
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.
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The opportunity of lucrative paydays could lure in the Brazilian, who could comfortably make the heavyweight limit.
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.
“[Pereira’s opponents are] thinking, ‘How come he don’t feel like I feel like?’ That’s what they’re thinking!”