Former two-weight world champion boxer David Haye claims he has been contacted by the UFC regarding a potential showdown with mixed martial artist Jimi Manuwa.
The bout could feature as a warm-up for the widely rumoured super-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor.
“We have heard from Manuwa’s management and also the UFC so it is something that we are looking at,” Haye confirmed during a recent fan-led Q&A session on Instagram.
UFC light heavyweight Manuwa is one of the most feared strikers in the Octagon and has two successive knockout victories over top 10 ranked fighters Ovince Saint-Preux and Corey Anderson.
"I was very impressed with his quick knockout [over Anderson] at the O2 Arena [in London]," Haye said, before noting that Manuwa's body-shape and fighting style could ensure a successful conversion from MMA to boxing.
A clash with Haye would not boost his chances of challenging for the UFC light heavyweight world championship and raise his profile.
World-renowned Haye, meanwhile, is nursing an Achilles injury sustained during his 11th round stoppage loss to British rival Tony Bellew in March.
Haye was expected to challenge Bellew in a rematch but is seems more interested in a Manuwa spectacle, instead.
"Obviously it is a little way off being confirmed," he said. "But it is a fight that would unify a lot of the fans from both UFC and boxing and [it would] make a mega event."
Judging by a tweet from Manuwa on Thursday morning, the feeling is mutual.
Let's!! https://t.co/zkn9HmuUGm
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 30, 2017
Potential boxing-rules fights featuring mixed martial artists
Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor
David Haye vs Jimi Manuwa