Former UFC champion Frank Mir will cross over to compete in boxing for the first time when he faces Antonio Tarver as part of the tie for the next Triller card starring Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul.
Several people with knowledge of the reserve confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Thursday after Mir first mentioned the fight on social media.
“I’m a competitor,” wrote Mir on Twitter. “I have been my whole life. I take on challenges to grow and improve myself as a person. I always wanted to test myself in the boxing ring, so when the opportunity came, I clung to it. Until April 17 Antonio Tarver. “
I am a competitor. I have my whole life.
I take on challenges to grow and improve myself as a person.
I always wanted to test myself in the boxing ring, so when the opportunity came, I clung to it.
Until April 17th @AntonioTarver #MirTarver– Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) February 25, 2021
A veteran of 32 MMA fights, Mir is widely considered to be one of the best heavyweights in the sport’s history as a former UFC champion and great contender for most of his career. He recently fought in the Bellator cage, where he defeated Roy Nelson via unanimous decision at Bellator 231 in October 2019.
Mir has faced a list of contestants who’s who over the years, but this will be his first foray into boxing after making his MMA debut in 2001.
On his Phone Booth Fighting podcast with Richard Hunter, Mir said he was training in preparation for his BKFC debut, with which he signed last fall, when an offer to fight Tarver was presented.
“It forces you to work hard, and at the end of the day, it makes me a better warrior in every way, which only makes me a better coach for [my daughter] Bella [Mir], “he said.” Now, instead of boxing with my bare fingers, it looks like my next performance will be a complete boxing match. “
Mir faces Tarver, who will return to the ring for the first time since 2015, when he fought for a tie with Steve Cunningham. The 52-year-old former champion, who holds the WBA, WBC, IBO and IBF light heavyweight title and IBO cruiserweight titles, is best known for a fight trilogy with Roy Jones Jr. where he avenged a decision by most in their first fight with a pair of wins in their next two encounters.
Mir vs. Tarver joins the next pay-per-view card that will see Askren also switch to boxing for the first time against Paul in the main event. Mir said the event could take place in Atlanta or somewhere in Florida.
“It’s reminiscent of my first UFC fight,” he said. “I think I’m obviously being brought to the B side. I’m known in MMA more for my grappling than for my striking, so I think it’s something I have a name for, but it might not be dangerous for him on the surface. So, I hope, I will train hard and prove that they are wrong. I will not create any illusions about this. This is probably a safe warming fight in your minds, whatever your corners are looking at. “