Earlier this month, in the main event of the UFC’s latest trip to London, England, British light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa scored a crushing, one-punch knockout win over the game Corey Anderson. While this win set Manuwa up for bouts with the best light heavyweight mixed martial artists in the world, he also used the performance to attempt to set up a boxing match with English star David Haye.
Manuwa suggested that this bout could join the much discussed Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather mega-fight on a potential boxing vs. MMA card.
“David Haye, let’s do this,” he said shortly after his knockout of Anderson. “we’re two of the hardest hitters in London. I think that the fight makes sense.”
“Conor wants to fight Mayweather,” he continued. “Why not have me against David Haye on the same card?”
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Now, Haye has responded, telling England’s Express that he and his team have spoken with the UFC and Manuwa’s management about the possibility of a boxing match. Apparently, he’s all for it.
“I was very impressed with [Manuwa’s] quick knockout the other night at the 02 arena.” Haye said. “If any of the mixed martial artists can convert over to be a successful boxer he has definitely got the body shape and style to do so.”
“We have heard from Manuwa’s management and the UFC, so it is something that we are looking at at the moment. Obviously it is a little way off being confirmed, but it is a fight that would unify a lot of the fans from both UFC and boxing and make a mega event.”
Do you think the hard-hitting Jimi Manuwa could hang with the former WBO champ David Haye in a boxing match, or would he find himself in over his head? Sound off, PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/30/2017.