Oleksandr Usyk could possibly be severe about swapping his boxing gloves for MMA mitts and combating social media star Jake Paul in a blended martial arts contest.
Usyk addressed Paul on X, writing: “Soon, I’ll close the book on boxing, and after that, I’ll be waiting for you in the cage. Let’s see if you’ve got the [bravery for it] or just a hunger for hype.”
In July Usyk received a rematch with Britain’s Daniel Dubois to turn out to be boxing’s undisputed heavyweight world champion for a second time.
After that knockout victory at Wembley Stadium, Usyk truly confronted off with Paul within the ring.
Their groups have held discussions a few crossover MMA conflict.
Nakisa Bidarian, the co-founder of the MVP promotional firm with Paul, beforehand revealed to Sky Sports activities: “We have had a few conversations, all very optimistic, and it simply is determined by how the timing traces up. I feel the chance is there.
“Jake is loopy sufficient to do it for certain, Usyk’s facet appear very curious about it. So it is nearly lining up the timing and I feel ultimately it is one thing that may occur.
“Paul vs Usyk in MMA, that’s going to be a cross-cultural moment that the world will pay attention to. So we’re always interested in those opportunities.”
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Moses Itauma’s coach, Ben Davison, says that Moses Itauma would take the battle with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk now, calling it a ‘win-win’.
However Usyk, who has been undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight and has overwhelmed each Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury twice, would look to shut out his boxing profession first.
If he’s to stay undisputed, he should field the winner of the Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley battle in a compulsory defence of the WBO belt.
In a sign that Usyk is prepared to battle the Parker-Wardley victor subsequent, and never quit one of many 4 world titles he holds, Sergey Lapin, the CEO of Able to Combat, Usyk’s promotional firm, mentioned: “Oleksandr has earned the time to recover. And after that, fans will see him back in the ring – ready for new great fights.
“Proper now, our staff is contemplating new alternatives and an thrilling location to stage one other battle for the undisputed world championship.
“In the meantime, we wish good luck to Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley – may the best man win.”
