VIDEO | Anthony Joshua not opposed to a possible MMA fight

“It’s not just about the money… But if people wanted it, and I felt in my heart that it was the right decision, why not? It’s just another fight. I’d have to train, I wouldn’t just do it for a paycheck. Because you know, combat sport is a serious sport. Concussions in the head and broken ribs and so on. I have to take it serious. Why make the money if you can’t enjoy it? So you have to take it serious, not always about the money. I would consider it if my heart told me it was the right thing for me.”

Thanks to boxing legend, Floyd Mayweather and former UFC champion, Conor McGregor, a trend could have ended up being started where we see more and more crossover bouts between boxers and mixed martial artists.

Prior to this interview with Conan O’Brien, heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua has already teased wanting to fight in MMA or against MMA fighters in boxing specifically when poking at UFC champion, Stipe Miocic on Twitter and in some interviews as well as Miocic vice versa.

Other more likely cases of a next possible crossover is that of UFC featherweight queen, Cris Cyborg who has expressed much interest in challenging pound-4-pound boxing great, Cecilia Braekhus.

The UK’s Joshua is in most people’s minds the current king of boxing heavyweights. Anticipation has been rapidly building for a big fight between him and who is expected to be his toughest test yet, America’s ‘Bronze Bomber’ Deontay Wilder. Both men are undefeated at the moment and will likely settle the score before Joshua can even get a chance to potentially fight in a cage.

Not to mention, he also may have to worry about the returning former champion, Tyson Fury.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 5/24/2018.