Ronda Rousey will arguably go down as one of the best professional MMA fighters in the world. What about as boxer?
Retired professional boxer turned boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya said he is ready to shelter the current UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion if ever she agrees to wear boxing gloves and fight in the professional venue. In fact, they already had discussions.
"Absolutely. Look, we've discussed it," said the boxing Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions owner during an interview with FIghtHub TV. "And whenever she's ready to step into the ring as a fighter - as a boxer - then obviously Golden Boy Promotions will be right there with her."
Boxing is not totally a new territory for Ronda Rousey. In 2012, she enlisted former undefeated boxing and kickboxing champion Lucia Rijker as striking coach, something that will be essential for her fight with Holly Holm at UFC 193 on Nov. 15.
De La Hoya also thinks Rousey has the speed to excel in boxing.
"She's tough," he said in the interview. "She's really good. Speed, power and instinct, which is very important. She dares to be great. That's the difference with a lot of fighters: She takes the risks. And that's what I love about her. It's just a matter of having that first fight and proving it."
Ronda Rousey herself once discussed the possibility of fighting in other sport. Aside from boxing, she also wants to dominate jujitsu.
"I want to be remembered as one of the greatest fighters of all time in any sport," Rousey said on October 28 in front of members of the press.
"I would love to have a chance to be the boxing world champion, I would love to have a chance to be the jiu-jitsu world champion, and I would love to have the chance to beat the previous world champions and just be the best all at one point."
Although it sounds ambitious for her, Rousey insists she is serious about it.
"To be honest, my goals are so crazy. That's what I would really want to do, I don't know if I even have the time, I want to do so many things."
Rousey once played judo and even played at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games wherein he lost to Dutch ex-world champion Edith Bosch in the quarterfinals. She also dabbled in professional wrestling.
