Tom Aspinall speaks on potential boxing switch after dad backed lucrative career move

Follow us on Google Discover

Tom Aspinall has shared when he is thinking about swapping MMA for boxing.

The UFC heavyweight champion spent his early years training with Tyson Fury, who was already a big name in the ring, at the time.

Aspinall had one professional boxing match before making the switch to MMA full-time back in 2017.

Now, there are rumours that he could be looking to change sports again, this time lured by the huge paydays after Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford reportedly earned a combined $200 million for their recent fight.

Tom Aspinall explains why boxing move is still on hold

Tom Aspinall says he is not ready to leave the UFC just yet, with unfinished business still ahead of him.

The next step in his title reign is set as he prepares to face Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 on October 25.

Asked by Bloody Elbow if a switch to boxing was on his mind, Aspinall replied: “Not right now, to be honest.” 

He added: “If I get to the stage where I have cleared out the division and I’ve got nowhere else to go, that’s maybe something I’ll look at.”

The potential for bigger paydays in boxing is not lost on him. But instead of focusing on personal gain, Aspinall highlighted how more money could benefit combat sports overall.

“I think any time combat sports in general is doing well, that’s good for everybody.

“If we could all get paid more – not that I’m getting bad wages from the UFC – if you’re talking about $100 million, that’s a lot of money.

“So, I think it’s good for everybody, not just me, it’s good for everybody across combat sports.”

Tom Aspinall’s father backs a potential switch to boxing

Tom Aspinall’s dad, Andy, has been in his corner since he was a kid, helping him develop into one of the top fighters in the world.

With that kind of investment over the years, it makes sense that Andy would want his son to be properly rewarded for his efforts.

• READ MORE: Conor McGregor’s old friend explains why quitting Irish presidential race was right

Speaking on Tom’s YouTube channel, Andy did not hold back about how he sees the financial side of the sport.

“I’d love him to have a very highly paid boxing match for the money.

“The money’s there, and I don’t see why somebody as talented as Tom shouldn’t have a piece of that money when the boxers are getting a hundred times more, more than a hundred times more.

“The UFC ain’t paying that type of money. If they would, it would be great and he could get the money, but I think these one percent of people who are very, very good should get paid.”