Anthony Joshua expresses his desire to witness a boxing match between football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, even though he believes it would be a closely contested battle.
The British-Nigerian heavyweight, who recently took a break after defeating Robert Helenius, envisions these iconic athletes continuing their rivalry in the boxing ring.
In a YouTube interview, Joshua was asked to suggest two non-boxers for a fight based solely on their personalities, and he promptly proposed a showdown between Ronaldo and Messi, bringing one of football’s fiercest rivalries into a new arena.
When asked to pick a winner, Joshua leaned towards Ronaldo but acknowledged his admiration for both athletes, noting Messi’s exceptional vision and agility.
However, Joshua declined to name a non-boxer he’d want to face in a crossover fight, stating he has no issues with anyone.
When the idea of fighting Ronaldo was suggested, he responded with respect for the Portuguese icon.
The conversation also touched on a potential bout between Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Joshua expressing enthusiasm for such a clash due to the existing rivalry between the two footballers. Lukaku has made a name for himself with Inter Milan and Chelsea, while Ibrahimovic retired from football after a distinguished career with AC Milan.
Joshua, a two-time world champion, is expected to face Deontay Wilder in a highly anticipated and lucrative bout scheduled for Saudi Arabia in 2024.
