Anthony Joshua advises Alex Pereira to start a new boxing career leaving UFC champion ‘honored’

ANTHONY JOSHUA left Alex Pereira “honored” after betting on the UFC champion to stand out in boxing.

Pereira has established himself as one of MMA’s biggest stars since leaving kickboxing.

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He won UFC titles at middleweight and light heavyweight and sparked a move to heavyweight to become the first three-division champion.

But AJ – who knocked out Francis Ngannou in his last fight – believes Pereira has what it takes to switch back to boxing.

He posted: “Alex Pereira should make his boxing debut one day.”

Pereira replied: “I’m honored that you think that way. It’s always been my dream, I’m 37 years old… I can’t make a career out of it, so who do you recommend I fight?”

And Joshua, with his business hat on, advised: “The options are endless, champ. I’m sure something can be done. Leave a message @258mgt.”

Pereira has one of the deadliest left hooks in MMA and has trained top boxers.

Footage showed him in the ring with 2016 American Olympian Khalil Coe, 27, and Australian heavyweight Demsey McKean, 33.

Several MMA stars have transitioned to boxing in fights worth a lot of money.

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Ngannou, 37, left the UFC to pursue boxing and had big fights with Tyson Fury and Joshua.

He defeated Fury, 35, en route to a controversial decision defeat before being knocked out by Joshua, 34, in March.

AJ now challenges Daniel Dubois, 26, for the IBF title on September 21 at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Pereira defeated Jiri Prochazka, 31, in two rounds at UFC 303 after filling in for Conor McGregor, 35, due to injury on two weeks’ notice.