Stipe Miocic on fighting boxing champion Anthony Joshua - ‘I’d give him a run for his money’

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight kingpin Stipe Miocic admits he has a close eye on the potential Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor boxing match, which is far from signed, sealed and delivered at the moment.

That’s because Miocic — a Cleveland Golden Gloves boxing champion in 2009 and National quarterfinalist — has professional boxing aspirations of his own. And if the “Notorious” vs. “Money” bout gets made, then he has hope that one day he’ll be able to mix it up with current boxing Heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua.

“If the fight happens, me against Joshua would be a great fight,” Miocic said appearance on “The MMA Hour.” “I think I’d surprise a lot of people, I think it’d be an amazing fight ... let’s do it! He’s a great guy. He’s tough, he’s a champion for a reason. I think I’d give him a run for his money.”

As for Daniel Cormier’s recent comments saying that mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters would get embarrassed by pro boxers inside the squared circle, Miocic doesn’t believe that’s the case ... at least with him.

“I do a lot of boxing and I’ve boxed before, working on my boxing I think I’d be fine. “He’s a tough guy, he’s the best in the world. But, I’m pretty tough, too,” concluded Stipe.

Miocic earned his fifth straight knockout victory a few weeks ago, dismantling Junior dos Santos in UFC 211’s main event to retain his Heavyweight title (see it again here). And while having proved that he does have some of the heaviest hands in the sport, taking on a world-class boxer like Joshua — who recently defeated Wladimir Klitshcko — is an entirely different beast.

Nevertheless, Miocic is confident that fight will be more competitive than people think ... do you?