MMA and boxing crossover ‘superfights’ for fans to dream of – or rage over – in 2021
- Clout-chasing and trash-talking aside, these boxing or MMA stars are actually making moves – or will do soon
- Jones Jnr vs Silva? McGregor vs Pacquiao? The world’s first ‘ultrafight’ with four Olympic gold medals on the line?
Three years on from the still-divisive boxing ‘superfight’ between undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor, the combat crossover concept is stronger than ever.
As boxing traditionalists continue to gag at rumours of a ‘Money’ Mayweather vs YouTuber Logan Paul bout in 2021, optimists hope such outrageous matchups will shed a light on the always-struggling sport. Promoters, meanwhile, are as usual rubbing their hands together ringside.
With many more thinking they can put on a prosperous pay-per-view extravaganza after millions tuned in to watch middle-aged boxing legends Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jnr turn the clock back in a charity exhibition, combat sports fans will simply have to turn their noses back down – because they are here to stay.
“It’s going to happen more, absolutely,” Tyson told The Sportsman in November when asked about boxers and MMA fighters crossing boundaries.
