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Anthony Joshua open to fight with MMA opponent

Last updated on .From the section Boxingcomments35

Anthony Joshua (right) lands a punch on Wladimir Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko (left) retired as he turned down a chance of a rematch with Joshua

WBA and IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua would fight a mixed martial arts (MMA) opponent as long as there was a no submissions rule.

UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor takes on undefeated American Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match in Las Vegas on 26 August.

"I like fighting, I'd do whatever," said Joshua. "I'd probably get beaten.

"The only thing that they can't do is submissions but they can kick, elbow, bite - whatever they want."

He added: "I can't beat a guy [via submission]. That takes a lot of time to learn the skills and submissions, which I don't have the time for, but when it comes to pure aggression and fighting rules, I can definitely fight, so I don't mind that.

"It wouldn't be a problem."

Joshua has yet to finalise a date and venue for a fight with mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, who the Briton must face before 2 December or risk being stripped of his IBF belt.

The WBA has also ordered Joshua to defend his title against Cuba's Luis Ortiz, having given them 30 days from 3 August to agree the fight.

"I've been away with the family and need to get back to reality," said the Briton. "Sitting on the beach getting my toes rubbed, that's not the life of an athlete.

"I've got to get back to the gutter, keep organised, keep disciplined. I've done my holidays and need to get back to the military mindset I live."

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35 comments

  • Comment posted by the Duck, at 15:23 21 Aug 2017

    I understand the negative perception about 'jumping on the bandwagon', but I think we need to give some guys a break - as they are being pressed for answers on this now all day every day by journos looking for a story..... All Joshua is saying is that he loves a fight - so whoever it is - brig it on.... He's not angling for a MMA fight at all, just answering silly questions.

  • Comment posted by Pdogg, at 16:13 21 Aug 2017

    I'm also open to an MMA fight. I have just one rule. It has to be non-contact. Name calling is OK.

  • Comment posted by navyblue, at 15:34 21 Aug 2017

    7. The duck

    Excellent comment. They are simply answering questions from journalists on the hot topic of the week. This isn't jumping on the bandwagon and it will never happen but he is not exactly going to say something like 'no i am scared of getting beat'.

  • Comment posted by Jack the Biscuit, at 16:10 21 Aug 2017

    AJ,really or did eddie hearn put you up to this,he's looking at the money,this farce is generating.

  • Comment posted by U14398633, at 15:58 21 Aug 2017

    Boxing seems to be drifting into wrestling territory, where you put fights on for show. Wrestling is not a sport it's an entertainment industry.

    I hope boxing doesn't end up the same way.

  • Comment posted by Andrew, at 15:17 21 Aug 2017

    Clearly it isn't going to happen. There's nobody around that makes it worth while. Joshua has lots to be getting on with in boxing at the moment. I doubt he is angling for anything else. Just making a point that he likes a good scrap.

  • Comment posted by David Jatt, at 17:58 21 Aug 2017

    Obviously there's more in play with kicks... But AJ with 4oz gloves though - can't help but think once he hits someone square in the face it'll be curtains.

  • Comment posted by Chunks73, at 17:02 21 Aug 2017

    ahhh bring back Ali and Tyson..sad sooo sad..whats going on!!

  • Comment posted by Brummiedude, at 15:26 21 Aug 2017

    AJ v Brock Lesnear could be interesting. Might be tempted to pay for that one

  • Comment posted by Haggo, at 16:41 21 Aug 2017

    So basically you're open to being the next Kimbo Slice?

  • Comment posted by Ponty1, at 16:18 21 Aug 2017

    AJ is far too intelligent, skilful, fast and strong to enter this nonsense. He'll just slightly tap any MMA "fighter" on the nose and boom, fight is over.

  • Comment posted by Gooner Expat , at 18:26 21 Aug 2017

    OK... this is... I guess... but... you know.... it's.... oh come on! Stop this nonsense and keep boxing as it should be - however much it has moved from the glory days

  • Comment posted by James_Autar, at 18:17 21 Aug 2017

    I'm disappointed that Joshua has not yet agreed a date for his next fight after he promised us all that he would be a 'fighting champion' and would defend his title twice more before the year is out. That looks highly unlikely. Get the guy Pulev out of the way and then defend against Ortiz who is highly over-rated.
    Restore some pride to heavyweight division.

  • Comment posted by U15174288, at 17:08 21 Aug 2017

    I don't have a problem with AJ wanting to fight anyone. What I don't like is him following mayweather. Yeah the guys had a great career but he had no class...

  • Comment posted by Steve Cavell, at 15:19 21 Aug 2017

    He has seen the purse for Maywether

  • Comment posted by James_Autar, at 22:07 21 Aug 2017

    Wonderful news that Carl Frampton has split from the McGuigans. He should have done that years ago. No-one but the McGuigans would have taken Carl to Las Vegas to fight Santa Cruz in his own backyard. No doubt the money was good ...for all! He got beaten-up badly. He should have has some 'easy' fights in Belfast a made a few millions. Then they chose a hard-hitting Mexican for his return. Crazy.

  • Comment posted by James_Autar, at 18:52 21 Aug 2017

    Joshua stop talking about fighting MMA guys and just get on and defend your title in the boxing ring with the contenders that are placed in front of you. Andre Ward wants to fight you so take him on and stop making all these loose promises.

  • Comment posted by Stevejh, at 17:24 21 Aug 2017

    I think he should have added, no ground game or clinching too. if it was just a stand up punches and kicks fight, he would murder MMA guys. he knocks out guys easy with 12oz gloves if he had 4oz gloves he would be unstoppable once he hits

  • Comment posted by And, at 12:11 22 Aug 2017

    Godzilla or King Kong?

  • Comment posted by And, at 12:07 22 Aug 2017

    @19 you do know Ali fought a Japanese Wrestler (Antonio Inoki) and I believe it was a draw but Ali suffered major knee injuries cause Inoki spent most of his time on the floor trying to evade Ali's punches and kicking Ali's legs. A major farce if you ask me. What people will do for money!. They are different disciplines so it's hard to say who's the best! This is verging on school ground talk...

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