Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has publicly opened the door to a potential foray into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). His curiosity is sparked by years of observing MMA fighters crossing over into the boxing ring, leading him to question why boxers should not reciprocate. Joshua, who notably delivered a devastating knockout blow to former UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou in a 2024 boxing match, sees the rise of such crossover events as a catalyst for exploring combat under a different rule set.

Speaking to The Ring, Joshua articulated his reasoning: "Honestly, I’ve been thinking — why not go into their world? They keep coming into ours." However, the British-Nigerian boxing star is under no illusions about the immense challenge involved. He candidly acknowledged the elite-level skills possessed by top MMA and kickboxing athletes, stating, "We’re talking about the very best in their own sport. These aren’t rookies — they’re seasoned, dangerous fighters." Despite the formidable nature of the challenge, he expressed excitement about the prospect of a boxer testing their mettle in that domain.

Joshua firmly believes that a serious boxer making the transition to MMA would command significant attention, even in an era where boxing typically offers more substantial financial rewards. He highlighted the fan appetite for compelling competition: "Fans love competition. They’d pay to see a top-level boxer test himself against an MMA or kickboxing specialist." He also emphasized the strategic importance of choosing the right opponent and fighting style for such a venture, asserting, "You’d have to be smart — pick the right opponent, the right style. But it can work. I think it’s the next frontier we all want to witness."

The 2012 Olympic gold medalist addressed past instances of boxers attempting MMA and failing, specifically referencing James Toney's lopsided defeat to Randy Couture at UFC 118 in 2010. Joshua attributed Toney's failure to a lack of proper conditioning for the specific demands of MMA, acknowledging that elements like grappling and submissions present formidable obstacles for pure boxers. "Those guys know exactly what they’re doing in there," he remarked, underscoring the specialized skill set required for MMA.

While the prospect of an MMA career intrigues him, Joshua's immediate focus remains firmly fixed on boxing. He has an upcoming clash against Kristian Prenga scheduled for July 25, and a highly anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury continues to loom on the horizon. Nevertheless, Joshua made it clear that he will be keenly observing for the first brave boxer to truly commit to a move into the MMA cage. He reiterated his stance, stating, "They keep crossing over into our sport. It’ll be fascinating to see who’s the first to go into theirs."