Miocic to boxing champ: ‘No excuses’

There is no doubt about it: Stipe Miocic wants to cash in against boxing’s heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua.

The UFC heavyweight champion and Eastlake North graduate said last week he would prefer a chance to step into the ring in a crossover bout against champion Anthony Joshua over a UFC bout with former two-time heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.

“Of course,” Miocic told The News-Herald. “(A Joshua fight) would pay a lot more. Money talks.”

Now, it appears — at the very least — Joshua might consider Miocic’s latest offer.

That’s because Joshua was hoping for a November rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, but the longtime champion retired on Aug. 3.

First, Miocic congratulated Klitschko by tweeting Aug. 3:

“Much respect @ Klitschko on an incredible career. Good luck on the next chapter, champ!”

Minutes later, Miocic tweeted at Joshua:

“@anthonyfjoshua looks like your schedule is wide open. No excuses, let’s dance! #BaddestManOnThePlanet”

It’s the second time Miocic challenged Joshua on Twitter. The first time came in June after the crossover boxing match between the UFC’s Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was announced. Joshua tweeted claiming he didn’t know who Miocic was.

Miocic said he laughed when he saw that tweet.

He vows it won’t be a laughing matter if a crossover boxing match vs. Joshua becomes a reality.

“I would shut a lot of people up (if I fought Joshua), I’ll tell you that,” Miocic told The News-Herald in an interview.

Miocic said his management team is currently in discussions with the UFC about his contract. In his last two UFC fights — firstround knockouts of Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos — the champion’s team said Miocic made less as champ than the challengers he knocked out.

That prompted a source close to Miocic to tell The News-Herald the UFC champ wasn’t willing to discuss his next fight until issues with his contract are addressed.

Said the same source: “Miocic’s camp advises there has been no serious talk of his next fight or challengers since his swift firstround knockout of Junior dos Santos last May.”