LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Referee Big John McCarthy looks on during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Former UFC referee John McCarthy believes that fighting Canelo Alvarez in a boxing ring is a faux pas for Kamaru Usman
Welterweight champion and UFC P4P best fighter Kamaru Usman has been lobbying for a boxing super match against Canelo Alvarez, the P4P best in boxing. He believes he possesses the skillset to finish Canelo inside three rounds. The MMA community is divided by the prospect of this idea, although the narrative of ‘Best vs Best’ appeals to many.
Usman is all set to rematch Leon Edwards at UFC 278 on August 20th. This will be the sixth quest of his title defense, having fought and beaten Leon Edwards once back in December, 2015.
Usman told TMZ Sports in an interview earlier this Tuesday that he wants to fight boxing star Canelo Alvarez at some point.
“It’s never been done, pound-for-pound versus pound-for-pound,” he said. “And, they’re significantly close in weight classes to be able to do it — why not?! … When you hear that that fight’s announced, everyone’s going to be watching that fight.”
Familiar octagon figure, and one of the most prominent referees in the sport, John McCarthy weighed in on the idea of this fight alongside former UFC lightweight fighter Josh Thompson in their podcast. He said, “The guy [Kamaru Usman] has got a great gas tank. He’s got great wrestling. His stand-up has gotten really good. It’s not good enough to beat ‘Canelo.’ Jesus Christ, people! You know, you have no fuing concept. He will get lit the fu up in a boxing match.”
Big John McCarthy also discussed the possibility of Kamaru Usman moving up to light heavyweight division. Usman has reinstated several times that he will refrain from moving to middleweight, as long as his African brother Israel Adesanya is reigning supreme. At UFC 276, Usman sized up Jan Blachowicz backstage in a fun face-off. Usman had said that he is definitely considering a move to light heavyweight sometime in the near future.
Reacting to Usman’s plan, McCarthy said, “I don’t wanna see him [Kamaru Usman] do it. I like Kamaru Usman. I think Kamaru Usman’s a phenomenal fighter. I think 170 pounds is a great weight class for him, and 205 is too big. He’s a phenomenal MMA fighter. And at 170, dude, he’s the king. Stay the king. Don’t go up that far. Josh, we’re talking about 35 pounds of weight class. 35. Crazy. Don’t do it.”
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