Anthony Joshua has never been one to shy away from a challenge. The former unified heavyweight champion has faced some of the biggest names in boxing, captured multiple world titles, and helped headline some of the sport’s most lucrative events. Now, the British star is considering a challenge that could be unlike anything he has experienced before.
Joshua recently revealed that he has thought about stepping into mixed martial arts, becoming one of the few elite boxers to seriously entertain the idea of crossing into another combat sport. His comments come after years of watching MMA fighters leave the cage in search of boxing opportunities and bigger paydays.
Speaking during an interview with The Ring, Joshua admitted that the trend has made him wonder what would happen if a top boxer decided to make the journey in the opposite direction.
I was thinking, why don’t I step over into one of their territories because they keep on coming over our territory, Joshua said.
Anthony Joshua Wants to Reverse the Trend
Combat sports have seen several high profile crossover bouts in recent years. Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou entered boxing and shared the ring with Tyson Fury before later suffering a knockout loss to Joshua. Other fighters from MMA and kickboxing have also explored opportunities in boxing, creating a growing market for crossover events.
Joshua believes it may be time for boxers to return the favor.
Obviously, this is big business. It’s big boxing. It’s heavyweight boxing. You are talking about the best in their chosen field. MMA, kickboxing, these aren’t amateurs. These are actually experienced fighters. But it would be good if one of us went into that side and we see how we get on over there.
While Joshua sounded intrigued by the idea, he was careful not to underestimate athletes from other combat sports. He acknowledged that elite MMA and kickboxing competitors possess skills that cannot be ignored simply because a boxer enters their environment.
The Financial Reality of a Crossover Fight
One of the biggest obstacles to any potential move is money. Boxing remains the most lucrative combat sport at the highest level, and Joshua has spent years as one of its biggest attractions.
For a crossover bout to make sense, the event would likely need to be a major global attraction capable of generating enormous revenue. Joshua suggested that the financial side would naturally fall into place if the matchup carried enough interest.
One hundred percent. So that means it’s big business then. MMA, kickboxing, or boxing. It can be done. I believe it should be done. I think that’ll be the next thing that we want to see.
Those comments have already sparked discussion about whether a future Joshua appearance in MMA could become one of the biggest crossover events in combat sports history.
Learning From Past Attempts
History has not been particularly kind to boxers who have attempted to transition into MMA. Former boxing world champion James Toney famously crossed over to face Randy Couture at UFC 118 in 2010 and was submitted in the opening round.
Joshua, however, does not believe Toney’s experience should automatically define how future crossover attempts are viewed.
But I don’t think James was as conditioned as he could have been for that fight, Joshua explained.
The heavyweight star also acknowledged one of the biggest challenges facing any boxer entering the cage. Unlike a boxing ring, MMA introduces wrestling, submissions, kicks, and clinch fighting, creating a completely different set of problems.
That simple statement highlights the reality that elite punching ability alone does not guarantee success once takedowns and grappling enter the equation.
Why Joshua’s Interest Matters
What makes Joshua’s comments particularly interesting is his position within the sport. Unlike many crossover discussions involving retired stars or aging veterans, Joshua remains one of boxing’s most recognizable active athletes.
The Olympic gold medalist and former two time unified heavyweight champion still commands global attention whenever he fights. His knockout victory over Ngannou in 2024 also gives him direct experience with the crossover phenomenon from the boxing side.
As a result, any serious move toward MMA would instantly become one of the biggest stories in combat sports.
Joshua admitted he is curious to see who eventually becomes the first major boxer in their prime to make such a leap.
“Those guys keep on coming over into our territory. It’ll be interesting to see who the first one will be to cross over into their territory.”
Boxing Remains the Priority
Despite the growing conversation, Joshua’s immediate focus remains firmly on boxing.
He is scheduled to return to the ring against Kristian Prenga on July 25, with a long anticipated showdown against Tyson Fury potentially waiting later in the year. Those fights remain the most important items on Joshua’s agenda.
For now, the MMA discussion remains an intriguing possibility rather than a concrete plan. Still, Joshua’s willingness to explore the idea has added a fascinating new dimension to the crossover debate.
Whether he ever steps inside a cage remains uncertain, but his comments suggest that one of boxing’s biggest stars is at least open to finding out how far his skills could take him beyond the ropes.
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