AlistairOvereem will make his professional boxing debut againstJimiManuwa in a six-round heavyweight bout on Dec. 24 at Coca-ColaArena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Most Valuable Promotions announced the matchup Thursday. It joins aChristmas Eve card headlined by Jake Paul‘sreturn to boxing against CedricDoumbe.
Alistair Overeem and Jimi Manuwa meet in a six-roundheavyweight boxing bout Dec. 24 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai
Overeem (47-19, 1 NC in MMA) is a former Strikeforce heavyweightchampion and the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix winner. The Dutchmanlast competed in kickboxing for Glory in 2022.
“I’ve fought the best in the world, and I’ve been a world championin multiple disciplines. Now I’m starting a new chapter in boxing,and I’m not here to make up the numbers,” Overeem said. “JimiManuwa is a dangerous man with serious knockout power, but I’vebuilt my career on taking the toughest challenges in combatsports.”
Manuwa (17-6 in MMA) retired from mixed martial arts in 2019 with15 wins by knockout or technical knockout. The former UltimateFighting Championship light heavyweight contender won hisprofessional boxing debut in August, stopping former UFCheavyweight ChaseSherman by second-round technical knockout, according to thepromotion.
“After my win in Orlando, I wasn’t looking for an easy opponent,”Manuwa said. “On Christmas Eve, one of us is going to sleep, andit’s not going to be me.”
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