Former UFC fighter Darren Till, who will make his boxing debut in January 2025 against Tommy Fury, has issued a bold challenge to football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. The 39-year-old Portuguese forward, currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, is widely recognized not just for his unparalleled football skills, but also for his intense physical regimen and professionalism, qualities that could potentially translate well into other sports.

However, transitioning to mixed martial arts (MMA) is a whole different ball game.

Till, a passionate Liverpool supporter, recently revealed on social media that he had a falling out with former Manchester United player Gary Neville, and he wouldn’t hesitate to face him inside the octagon. Yet, it was Ronaldo who caught his eye next.

In an interview with Norske Bettingsider, Till commented, "I’d love to fight Gary Neville because we’ve had some beef on Twitter. I don’t like the guy, but it’s not hate. However, I’d also be interested in fighting Cristiano Ronaldo. He looks like a big, tough guy. I’d like to see his speed and power. He looks explosive."

Though Till is ready for the challenge, he did acknowledge Ronaldo’s discipline and athleticism, attributes that have earned him admiration across various sports circles.

Till, who is gearing up for his boxing debut against Tommy Fury on January 18, 2025, at Co-Op Live in Manchester, will first test his skills in the squared circle before considering a possible encounter with Ronaldo or Neville inside the cage.

Interestingly, Ronaldo himself has shown an interest in both boxing and MMA. He was recently involved in a public spat with UFC champion Ilia Topuria after Topuria critiqued former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Ronaldo took to social media, claiming that Topuria "talks too much," prompting a fiery response from the fighter.

As for whether Neville or Ronaldo would ever agree to fight Till, that remains uncertain, given the drastic differences between the combat sports involved. Nevertheless, Till’s invitation adds another layer of excitement to his upcoming boxing career.