ONE Championship Open To Staging Boxing Matches Again In Future Events

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (R) punches Oscar de la Hoya of US Getty Images | JEWEL SAMAD/AFP

KEY POINTS

ONE Championship introduced Muay Thai and kickboxing on its fight cards in 2018
The Asian MMA promotion is open to staging boxing fights again
An Eddie Alvarez-Oscar De La Hoya boxing fight remains a 'real possibility'

Introducing Muay Thai and kickboxing to its fight cards has definitely put a different dynamic to ONE Championship's live events.

Now, the Singapore-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion is also open to staging boxing matches again in the future.

"ONE Championship is the home of martial arts, and we are always showcasing a variety of martial arts," chairman Chatri Sityodtong said.

"The objective is to surprise or delight our fans with martial arts."

Boxing is not entirely new for ONE Championship. During its "Kingdom of Heroes" card in Bangkok, Thailand in October 2018, the organization pitted then-Thai world boxing champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai against Mexico's Iran Diaz in the main event.

Interestingly, Sityodtong's statement comes after it was confirmed that retired boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya reached out to former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez for a potential fight in the ring.

The intriguing match-up could be the latest installment in a showcase of boxing exhibition contests such as the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. and the Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul.

Back in 2017, UFC head honcho Dana White helped facilitate the Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. super-fight, given that the American MMA outfit holds the Irishman's rights.

The unbeaten American boxer eventually beat the Irish MMA superstar via 10th-round TKO to keep his professional career unblemished.

With Alvarez's contractual rights held by ONE Championship, the same scenario might be replicated in the immediate future if he agrees to De La Hoya's terms.

"We have contractual rights to any of Eddie Alvarez's fights. There have been talks and I guess [De La Hoya] really wants to fight [Alvarez]," Sityodtong expressed.

ONE Championship might even be the stage for that encounter if the promotion is seriously considering having boxing as part of its offering moving forward.

"There are a lot of different dynamics in play. Eddie also wants to go on a title run. I have known that for a fact since he joined ONE. But at the same time, if Oscar really wants to fight Eddie, then that is a real possibility," the ONE Championship boss stated.

De La Hoya has not fought professionally in the squared-circle since 2008 when eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao forced him to quit on his stool.

As for Alvarez, his focus is pinned on bouncing back at the expense of South Korea's Ok Rae Yoon at "ONE on TNT IV" this Wednesday, April 28.