KJ Noons calls out Pacquiao, Mayweather
Strikeforce welterweight mixed martial arts contender KJ Noons has called out top pound-for-pound boxer Manny Pacquiao to fight him in an MMA bout. And Noons, who spoke to FightHype, said that he would also be willing to enter a boxing ring to fight Pacquiao in a return fight.
“I would love to welcome Pacquiao into MMA,” Noons told FightHype.
Noons is currently in line to fight Strikeforce welterweight (170lb) champion Nick Diaz in October, but is evidently looking beyond that. What would make this match-up interesting is style. A 28 August fight between MMA legend Randy Couture and boxing legend James Toney had many salivating beforehand, but the fight was anti-climactic in that Couture simply took Toney down and submitted him, without Toney getting the chance to display his boxing chops in the cage. But Noons insists that wouldn’t be a problem.
“It would be an ideal situation for him because I don't take guys down to the ground, and after that's all said and done in the cage, I would be willing to step inside of the ring with him too, something we all knew Randy Couture wouldn't do with James Toney,” said Noons.
Noons is one of the few high-level MMA fighters who also has professional boxing experience, boasting a record of 12-2. Where he’d have an advantage over Pacquiao is in the weight department, as he typically fights anywhere from 155-170lb, whereas Pacquiao fights way above his natural weight class already at a 151lb catchweight for his upcoming bout.
Pacquiao recently expressed interest in fighting MMA at a press conference but said his promoter Bob Arum vetoed the idea, likely because he has plenty to lose and couldn’t command the kind of huge paydays he can in boxing. Still, MMA vs Boxing is a hot topic right now, and despite the unlikeliness of it happening, Noons says both Pacquiao and the other top pound-for-pound boxer in the world, Floyd Mayweather Jr, have shown interest in the offer.
"I know Floyd (Mayweather) isn't looking to do MMA, but I would still be willing to fight Mayweather and Pacquiao in a boxing match and both camps have been reached, so we will see what happens. I will put it this way, both camps have been reached and both camps were very interested."
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