Alex Pereira Doubles Down After Oleksandr Usyk Gives Green Light to Huge Crossover Boxing Fight

“Then, maybe a ‘show fight’ with Alex Pereira,” Oleksandr Usyk told TNT Sports Boxing. “Why not? Alex wants to.” With these words, ‘The Cat’ ignited speculation about a potential MMA-boxing crossover bout against the UFC light heavyweight champion. Earlier this month, the Ukrainian confirmed that he doesn’t “see himself fighting beyond the next two bouts,” further adding to the intrigue surrounding his future. Notably, Usyk recently triumphed over Tyson Fury in their rematch last December during Christmas week, successfully defending his titles with 116-112 on all three judge’s scorecards.

Now, at 38 years old, the Ukrainian is gradually heading toward the final chapter of his storied career. Meanwhile, the idea of a fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Alex Pereira didn’t originate from Usyk, but rather from the Brazilian himself. At the peak of his UFC career, ‘Poatan’ is already contemplating his future in combat sports. Speaking on the JAXXON podcast this month, he expressed his desire to face ‘The Cat’, drawing comparisons to the blockbuster McGregor-Floyd Mayweather fight in 2017.

Looking at history, McGregor’s fight against Mayweather—famously dubbed ‘Red Pa–y Night’—earned him a guaranteed $100 million payday, funding his extravagant lifestyle. Given this precedent, Alex Pereira, now 37, sees a boxing crossover as a lucrative move that could secure him a similar multimillion-dollar windfall. Most recently, ‘Poatan’ once again hinted at a potential boxing match against Oleksandr Usyk while speaking at the VIP AOA Global event at the ICC Sydney Grand Ballroom.

Through a translator, he reiterated his ambition, stating, “He’s a great champion, an all-time champion, and he wants to fight another champion. He mentioned that the champion he wants to face is someone like him—another champion. He is determined to make it happen very soon.”

At this point in his career, Alex Pereira appears to be prioritizing financial opportunities over sheer competition. Initially, he had his sights set on a UFC super fight against reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones—a matchup that even Jones welcomed. However, UFC CEO Dana White swiftly shut down the idea, bluntly stating, “No f—ing way.” With that door closed, the Brazilian has now turned his attention to a high-profile boxing crossover, following in the footsteps of Francis Ngannou.

While such a fight could guarantee him a massive payday, the biggest obstacle remains Dana White’s approval. Whether the UFC boss will greenlight the bout remains to be seen. Meanwhile, a boxing legend has already voiced his disapproval of the potential matchup. Let’s hear his thoughts on a possible Oleksandr Usyk vs. Alex Pereira clash.

British boxing legend Carl Froch’s prediction on Alex Pereira vs. Oleksandr Usyk

With an undefeated 23-0 record, Oleksandr Usyk is nearing the end of his illustrious career. The outcome of the upcoming Joseph Parker vs. Daniel Dubois fight will determine ‘The Cat’s next opponent, with the victor earning the chance to challenge him. Beyond that, Usyk seems to be considering one last fight to follow in the footsteps of Floyd Mayweather—a crossover bout, similar to Mayweather’s legendary fight with Conor McGregor.

For this potential crossover, Oleksandr Usyk has set his sights on Alex Pereira, who has hinted at retiring from MMA in the next few years. A matchup between these two champions could draw massive attention, offering both fighters a substantial payday and providing an unforgettable spectacle for fight fans of all generations. However, not everyone shares the same excitement for the potential fight. Former multi-time world champion Carl Froch believes an Oleksandr Usyk vs. Alex Pereira bout in the boxing ring would be a mismatch.

On his YouTube channel, Froch shared his thoughts, stating, “Usyk against Pereira in a boxing match, based on what I’ve seen of Pereira, is a mismatch. Don’t get me wrong—he’s an absolute machine. What a guy. I’ve got nothing but praise for him in his discipline. Brilliant fighter. Like I said, one of the biggest names now in the UFC. But Oleksandr Usyk against Pereira in a boxing ring? For me, it’s a mismatch. It’s not something I’d really want to see.”

What are your thoughts on a potential Alex Pereira vs. Oleksandr Usyk showdown? Is this a fight that every fight fan would be eager to see? Who do you think would come out on top if these two legends faced off in the boxing ring? Share your thoughts in the comments below!