Viral pro boxer Ryan Garcia was in complete disbelief and wanted to spar with UFC’s stone-cold aura Alex Pereira. That’s nothing new these days. However, this was after watching the Brazilian’s explosive amateur boxing highlights. Infamous as the UFC and GLORY Kickboxing dual-division middleweight and LHW champ, Pereira also has had boxing stints in the past.
Stone hand ‘Poatan’ was rendering his opponents unconscious long before his days in GLORY or title-winning shovels in UFC PPVs. Surprisingly, Alex Pereira competed as a 1-0 cruiserweight amateur boxer, with a TKO win with Marcelo de Souza Cruz. The boxing package and internet montages come off so frighteningly good, that it even caught the attention of Ryan Garcia.
People don’t understand how hard it is to knock out people cold in the amatuers
I would love to train with Alex
Let’s make it happen.
Ryan Garcia via X (@RyanGarcia)
Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), a 140-lb division standout and very recent WBC super-lightweight title challenger, has also wanted to train with Pereira before. Of course, this thought was also touting his own contested recent feats. He is currently serving a year-long ban from The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), backdated to failing his post-fight test pool. What prompted this reaction now was @HappyPunch on X posting heavy-hitting highlights about Pereira.
People don’t understand how hard it is to knock out people cold in the amatuers
I would love to train with Alex
Let’s make it happen https://t.co/kPNHdyQWa0
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) September 11, 2024
Pereira lands a looping right hand that sends his opponent down to the canvas in the first clip. Meanwhile, the next three highlights feature the left hook that fans have come to know. The second shot is particularly hotter and more intense, sending the opponent through the ropes. While Pereira does a cold walk-off. The stunning highlights went viral amongst fans as well.
Fight fans react to Alex Pereira’s explosive boxer highlights
Alex Pereira’s touch-and-go left punch has drawn much deliberation over the last few years. The fighter out of São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, is making his third title headliner appearance this year at the UFC 307 Pay-per-view top bill. He also headlined and made an LHW gold maiden defense at the milestone April UFC 300 PPV event. Pereira’s ‘Hands of Dynamite‘ as fans dub it – have generated quite the array of pound-for-pound worthy highlight reels.
Fans react to ‘BOXER’ Alex Pereira (Source: bleacherreport.com/heavy.com)While he narrowly missed out on the 2024 ESPY for Best UFC Fighter Award, the 37-year-old now living in Bethel, Connecticut, U.S., is a top bill for non-domestic streamers/domestic streamers at ESPN platforms.
It’s not just Ryan Garcia who is in awe of him. Coaches Vinicius Reviravolta, Glover Teixeira, and Plinio Cruz similarly marvel at his power. His feats and statistics even garnered reactions from LHW G.O.A.T. Jon Jones, wanting to train with him. Hence, of course, his boxing highlights went viral among fans again. Here are a few top reactions to the viral clip.
At least we know he’s always had the left hook of death 😭
— Brax Moore (@brax_moore_more) September 11, 2024
That left hook has been lethal for a LONG time…
— One Time Sports (@onetimecards) September 11, 2024
He would still get owned in the sport.
— Shrek Stan Account(Legit) (@OyabunRey69) September 11, 2024
Most have lauded Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) for his explosiveness and acute striking. Even when he was a skinny dude at 185-pound limits. Others have quipped to study his kicks and “rabona” back-ended counters. However, with him already fielding crossover boxing callouts, some have hit the hard dose of truth that he would not be the world champ in the sport.
His stats aren’t undisputed after all; Pereira too can meet his own ‘Pereira’ someday. Even boxing as well. Some have alluded to making a super fight with cruiserweight Jake Paul. All in all, the matter will remain a hot topic.
