Anthony Pettis believes he could be boxing’s BMF fighter.
Back in 2013, Anthony Pettis was the best lightweight fighter in the UFC. His flashy style and dominant skills in the cage made him a fan favorite in the UFC. He has since moved on from the UFC and is now a member of the Professional Fighters League. He is continuing his MMA career but taking a slight detour to try his hands at boxing. Pettis is set for his professional boxing debut this weekend when he takes on legend Roy Jones Jr. at the Gamebred Boxing 4 event.
Pettis has been predominantly a mixed martial artist over the last decade or so but feels he has the skills in the ring to compete at the highest level. He spoke to Middle Easy in an exclusive interview about this and more.
“Testing my skill set in boxing against Roy Jones Jr. I think it was a big test,” he said. “I’m jumping up 50 pounds. I could have went the other route and fought Jake Paul, but not gonna take it away from Jake Paul but you know that that celebrity route. To try to find someone with a big following when I went, I went for somebody who has you know, great boxing skills and this popped up and I couldn’t say no to it.”
Anthony Pettis feels he could be solidifying his legacy by beating a GOAT
Pettis is taking on a man who has in the past faced some of the very best in boxing, including Mike Tyson. Now Pettis will try and add to his legacy by taking out this legend. If he can do it he thinks he could be named the “Baddest Mother-fu—er” in combat sports.
“I kind of just feel like I’m one of the guys that can do it,” he said. “I have the skill set that I can go up here and box you know with some of the greatest boxers. I do it in sparring, that’s why my confidence is to say yes to one of these fights and I sparred top-level boxers twelve rounds, eight rounds, in their prime getting ready for fights. I feel like I can attest to that. So yeah, I feel like I’m one of the best guys in combat sports and when it comes to you know, I can kickbox, I can point spar, I can box, I can compete with the best jujitsu guys, so I feel like I’m one of the most well rounded martial artists.”
Pettis wants to be able to continue his MMA career while still having opportunities like this one to compete in boxing. He thinks what Jorge Masvidal is doing with these Gamebred events is perfect for him and he plans on showing the fans that he can do both at the highest level.
Gamebred Boxing 4 will take place on April 1 live from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
