Kamaru Usman has disclosed that he intends to switch to boxing in September for a major fight with Canelo Alvarez.
Usman, the UFC Welterweight Champion, will fight for the first time in 2022 in July, before turning his attention to Alvarez, who will battle Dmitry Bivol on May 7.
“I’m going to shock the world in 2022,” Usman said to TMZ.
“I’ll be fighting Leon Edwards in July. If God wills, I will defeat Leon Edwards, and then stop Canelo Alvarez in September, on Mexican Independence Day.”
Usman claims he would not fight Alvarez for the money because he feels he can defeat the undisputed super middleweight champion.
“At the end of the day, boxing is dead,” Usman stated.
“I’m not saying there aren’t some decent boxers out there; there are some incredible boxers. There are a lot of guys I could go down and tell you are terrific fighters, Errol Spence Jr.
“Boxing, on the other hand, is on its way out. Everyone wants to be delighted at the end of the day, and when have you ever seen pound-for-pound versus pound-for-pound? That is something I am not frightened to do.
“Unfortunately, certain men, such as Canelo, will never challenge in the UFC. That, however, is beside the issue.
“Listen, he can overlook whatever he wants, but he’s battling men over there who no one knows about. And he’s always saying, ‘Payday, payday.’ It is, without a doubt, the largest payment you will ever receive.
“I understand he gets paid and makes money, but fighting me is going to be the largest payoff he’ll ever have.”
