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Anthony Joshua refused to rule out a switch to mixed martial arts when asked directly about his plans beyond his upcoming heavyweight clash with Tyson Fury, telling reporters that his appetite for competition extends beyond conventional boxing.
"I haven't closed any doors," Joshua said in comments reported by Irish Star. "I stay ready. MMA is a different challenge but I'm not afraid of different challenges."
The remarks came as Joshua's next professional boxing engagement, a highly anticipated heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury, appears imminent. The pairing has been discussed for years and has twice previously fallen apart at the contract stage. Promoter Eddie Hearn has been publicly bullish about the fight's prospects, claiming victory in a promotional dispute with Dana White over which organization would stage the event.
Joshua, 36, has rebuilt his professional record and commercial standing after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 that stripped him of his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles. He returned to winning ways with a string of victories and has positioned himself as the leading challenger for a unification matchup that would give fans the British heavyweight rivalry they have demanded for a decade.
Joshua also opened up on perspective gained from a recent car crash tragedy, telling Yardbarker that the experience had given him renewed clarity on what matters in his career and personal life. "I stand strong," he said.
His commercial portfolio extends well beyond boxing. Joshua is a global ambassador for multiple brands including Lynx, Under Armour and Hugo Boss and has invested in property, technology and hospitality ventures. His net worth is estimated at approximately £100 million to £150 million, making him one of the wealthiest active British athletes in any sport.
If Joshua were to follow the MMA path, he would join a growing list of high-profile boxing crossover interest. The UFC has repeatedly expressed interest in recruiting elite boxers, and the commercial appeal of a Joshua appearance in an octagon would be considerable regardless of competitive outcome.
No formal MMA approach or offer has been disclosed. Joshua's comments appear to reflect personal openness rather than any specific negotiation.
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