Demetrious Johnson Eyeing Professional Boxing Debut, Picks Manny Pacquiao as Potential Opponent

ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious Johnson may have been hinting at retirement recently, but that isn’t stopping him from exploring different ways to test himself.

The American legend has made waves in the grappling world since his last outing in ONE Championship, with medals coming in multiple IBJJF tournaments. He was also promoted to black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu this past week, solidifying his focus on the sport.

Demetrious Johnson eyes a boxing journey

However, Johnson surprised fans by mentioning he had another combat sport in mind when he appeared on the latest episode of Mightycast with Renato Moicano. “I’m going to break some news right now. I came home last night, broke down some content, and was watching Canelo Alvarez, watching him box,” he explained.

He further added, “And I was like, ‘Oh my god, that looks so damn dope’. Went to the gym, did Jiu-Jitsu, then came home and [told my wife I think I want to box].” It appears “Mighty Mouse” has his eyes on bigger gloves, and he’s been getting ideas by watching one of the best competitors in the boxing world today.
As a lifelong fighter, Johnson’s competitive nature is clearly sparked by the idea of a new challenge.

He dove further into his thought process later in the podcast, and it appears the MMA GOAT has not only considered when he’d like to move to “the sweet science” but also who he’d like to face when he does. “I’m 37, going to be 38 this year. There comes a point in time when an athlete needs to stop – chill. I’m getting ready for my next Jiu-Jitsu competition. So when my body is ready for a hard training camp, I’d love to box. “And it would have to be the right opponent. It if was Manny Pacquiao, f*** it, I’m doing it. I don’t want to box another MMA guy, I wouldn’t mind, but I want to box a legend of the sport.” Johnson said.

Johnson’s multifaceted combat prowess

Manny Pacquiao is one of the all-time greats of boxing. The Filipino superstar is an eight-division World Champion, and he is the only boxer to have won a championship in four different decades. Pacquiao would be an intimidating figure for Johnson to face off with, but meeting the best of the best in a different sport wouldn’t be new for him.

At ONE X in March 2022, “Mighty Mouse” competed in a mixed-ruled super fight with ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon, who is regularly considered to be the best pound-for-pound striker in the world.

Their match alternated between Muay Thai and MMA, and Johnson surprised the world by holding his own in a few tight moments in the striking-only round. He then went on to submit “The Iron Man” when the rules switched to his bread and butter in the second frame. Having proven himself in the MMA realm, showed promise in Muay Thai, and established a burgeoning career in the grappling arts, few should doubt Johnson if he ever shoots his shot in the boxing world.