Outside Source
Is Zuffa Boxing trying to sign heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua?
A report in the U.K. newspaper The Telegraph suggests so, and the IBF, WBA, and IBO champ himself has indicated that he’s receptive to the idea.
Wednesday’s Telegraph report claimed that Joshua, who defends his crown Saturday against Joseph Parker in Cardiff, Wales, is being sought after by the fledgling UFC-owned boxing promotion, for what it termed a “promotional multi-fight deal” that could be worth as much as $500 million. The report also stated UFC president Dana White will attend the Joshua-Parker bout.
Contacted by MMA Fighting, the UFC declined to comment on the report.
Joshua, in an interview with ESPN, indicated he doesn’t have interest in crossing over from boxing to mixed martial arts. But he said he’ll keep an open mind to Zuffa Boxing’s overtures and would open to doing business if the offer is right.
“We’ll listen, and 100 percent if it makes sense, we’re all in,” Joshua said. “So I’m happy that Dana’s coming into the game, hopefully we can add some excitement and we can progress forward and make some more money and make some good fights.”
The 28-year-old Joshua was a gold medalist at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and has since gone on to amass a 20-0 pro record, with all 20 victories via knockout.
This article first appeared at MMA Fighting – All Posts
