Anthony Joshua encourages Alex Pereira to box, Pereira asks for opponent recommendation

Alex Pereira has a big fan in heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua.

Joshua took time out of his weekend to lavish some praise on the UFC light heavyweight champion, tweeting that Pereira should compete in boxing someday. Pereira has become known for his fearsome, one-touch knockout power, which has carried him to world championships in multiple divisions in MMA and kickboxing.

An appreciative Pereira responded to Joshua, asking him who he thinks he should box.

See the social media exchange below.

“I’m honored you think so,” Pereira wrote in response to Joshua’s compliment. “It’s always been my dream, I’m 37 I cannot make a career in it so who do you recommend I fight?”

Pereira is no stranger to competing in the squared circle, having been a standout kickboxer for years before making his UFC debut in late 2021. He also has one boxing match on his résumé from June 2017, a third-round TKO win.

In his most recent outing, Pereira scored a second win over Jiri Prochazka, defeating his rival via second-round TKO to successfully defend his light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 303. Nine of Pereira’s 11 MMA wins have come by KO/TKO.

Joshua’s boxing career continues to chug along as he has won four straight fights. This September, he has the chance to become a heavyweight champion again when he fights Daniel Dubois for an IBF title recently vacated by Oleksandr Usyk.