UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has given a refreshingly honest take on the idea of boxing Jake Paul, following claims from Paul that the two sides once discussed a potential matchup.
Paul, who is now preparing for a shock bout against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, recently said Pereira was “down” to fight him but unable to proceed because of his UFC contract. Pereira had been called out by Paul after the YouTuber-turned-boxer defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., though talks never materialised.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, Pereira said he sees a fight with Paul as a genuine challenge for both men.
“Yeah, I think it’d be a (hard) challenge for both of us,” Pereira said. “I do really well in boxing sparring, I have won pro boxing fights, so I think when you do things that you enjoy doing you do them well.”
While Pereira remains focused on his UFC career, his comments suggest he’s open to the idea down the line.
Meanwhile, Paul’s upcoming clash with Joshua could drastically change his trajectory in boxing. Despite calling himself a future world champion for years, Paul has yet to face elite-level boxers. A win over Joshua, however unlikely, would immediately establish him as a legitimate contender and open the door to a potential title run.
