Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
(Image via https://x.com/sportbible)
While both boxing and wrestling are entirely different offerings, they have collided on plenty of occasions. As seen in the news and on social media, we’ve seen a number of instances when both the pro wrestlers we know and love and some of boxing’s biggest stars have joined forces. Likewise, sometimes we’ve even seen them go to war with each other in the ring.
Usually created purely for entertainment purposes, seeing a combination of a fearsome knockout puncher and a household name in wrestling battle for superiority generally garners plenty of attention. For fans of the sweet science who indulge in boxing betting and lovers of the all-action wrestling you see in the WWE, there is generally a great deal of admiration for both pastimes. For example, wrestling fans generally respect the dedication and skill needed to become a professional fighter, while many boxing fans view the shows the WWE regularly puts on as great spectacles.
Both offerings are filled with gladiators, making these clashes in the WWE arena highly entertaining. They put bums on seats and help pay-per-view sales, too. From hilarious cameos to wrestling contests that featured both wrestlers and boxers over the years, let’s remember five boxing stars who crossed over to the WWE with a great deal of success.
Tyson Fury
Kicking off with a scenario many WWE fans will remember well, Tyson Fury’s comical value made him an instant candidate for the WWE, especially as he had an issue with Braun Strowman. All starting on the inaugural episode of Friday Night SmackDown on Fox, the British fighter and Strowman’s beef started after the wrestler threw Dolph Ziggler at Fury and his family. As you might expect, the heavyweight fighter didn’t take it too well and immediately tried to take out the wrestler before security intervened. With a future meeting between the pair on the cards as they attempted to settle the dispute, they clashed yet again after Strowman refused to apologize to the “Gypsy King”, before eventually coming to blows at WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia. The British fighter is arguably the most natural performer we’ve seen from the sport of boxing, and while he’s yet to make the transition over to wrestling following his retirement from fighting, he’s a sporting figure many WWE fans would welcome with open arms. Braun Strowman probably wouldn’t be too keen on it, though.
Evander Holyfield
A highly respected heavyweight champion on four occasions, Evander Holyfield was as hard as nails. He was also an admirer of wrestling after watching it growing up. As such, seeing Holyfield get involved with the promotion was hardly a surprise when it did eventually happen. A fan of the likes of Ric Flair, the heavyweight hero rose to the challenge when called upon, putting his meanest face on as he squared up to Matt Hardy for a boxing fight. Taking place on Saturday Night’s Main Event and with millions of people around the world watching, it was over in minutes as Holyfield dismantled his opponent with ease. Then, to create even more of a spectacle, Holyfield then clashed with MVP, resulting in a powerful right hand to the face from the heavyweight beast. A scene many WWE fans still recall today, Evander Holyfield’s foray into the wrestling category of entertainment definitely went to plan.
Mike Tyson
(Image via https://x.com/WrestleOps)
While most youngsters associate Mike Tyson with his fight with Jake Paul, the legendary fighter has achieved far more than that in his illustrious career in boxing. Dubbed the “Baddest Man on the Planet,” Tyson’s exploits in the ring have resulted in the WWE calling him up on numerous occasions. Earning a reported $3.5 million for the privilege, Vince McMahon managed to convince one of the most feared men around to take part in press conferences, which turned into punch-ups, most notably with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and venture out into the ring to face up to a number of wrestlers. Tyson’s impact was evident, as ratings grew and boxing fans tuned in to watch their man shine on one of the biggest stages of all.
Buster Douglas
One of just a few fighters who managed to see off the aforementioned Mike Tyson when he was in the prime of his career in 1990, Buster Douglas’ remarkable victory saw him become a household name. As a result of his newfound fame, the WWE quickly moved to get their man for a big event, the rematch from WrestleMania 5. As a guest ring enforcer, Douglas was there for Hulk Hogan’s title defense against Randy Savage in 1990, and he was a natural in front of the cameras. With his stock high after defeating one of the scariest men on the planet, the heavyweight hero was given a leading role. He delivered another fine performance by sending “Sensational Queen” Sherri back to the locker room and pulling off some fine punches to silence a rowdy Savage. Overall, Buster Douglas clearly enjoyed his short stint in the WWE.
Muhammad Ali
Ending with boxing’s most legendary figure, Muhammad Ali has achieved so much inside and outside of the ring. It came as no surprise, then, to see the world-famous star take on the role of guest referee for the inaugural WrestleMania event in 1985, especially as he had openly shared his love of wrestling on numerous occasions. In fact, Ali even took inspiration from Gorgeous George, a wrestler from the 1940s, when it came to promoting his bouts in the boxing ring. The global cultural icon from Louisville made boxing audiences choose sides in the same way George did in the WWE arena, creating even more hype around his fights in the process. Then, when he was eventually asked to get involved in WrestleMania, Ali clearly jumped at the chance given his admiration for it. He even went on to fight Antonio Inoki in Japan in 1976. Simply put, Muhammad Ali clearly enjoyed wrestling and all it entailed.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
