While Michael Page has had a remarkable run in his still-unbeaten MMA career, “how good is he” comes up a lot because of the level of competition he’s faced. The conversation seems to remain as Page makes his way up in pro boxing, as well.
While it’s obviously early for Page, and he’s looked good in dispatching the two opponents he’s met in the ring, both of them carried losing records. Michal Ciach, the latest who Page knocked out 18 seconds into Round 2 of a light heavyweight match Friday at York Hall in London, is now 1-6.
But it’s not like it’s all on Page. Speaking to reporters after his second boxing win, which took place just three weeks after his successful MMA return at Bellator 200, Page explained how “extremely difficult” it is to get opponents with victorious records. And while “Venom” understands the reasons for that, he’s hoping for change soon.
“(It’s) understandable what an ‘0’ means for a lot of boxers,” Page said. “For a lot of anybody in combat, it means a lot in terms of their next paycheck and the development in their career. Their fans, their social, everything. We’re like, ‘Yeah, that guy’s got a good record, so let’s call them out’ – 10-2s, 10-0, he’s 12-0, he’s 12-1, whatever it is. And they’re like, ‘Not interested.’
“They’ve got a career that they want to improve. They don’t want to be on TV with that happening to them, and I understand it because it knocks them backside. Frustratingly so for me, but, at the same time, I have to take my time. I know a lot of people are like, ‘We want you to fight this person, that person’ – it’s just not that simple. I understand it. Hopefully, I want people to start thinking, ‘You know what, I can get the better of him,’ and they take that risk and jump in there.”
Still, it’s a solid start for Page in yet another sport. And for the former kickboxer, current Bellator welterweight and lover of all things combat, it also means another opportunity to perform under the bright lights and, ultimately, enjoy himself – which happens whether “MVP” finds himself “in a ring, in a cage, wherever it be.”
In fact, Page said, if he had the time and ability to take on even more combat sports-related endeavors, he would. But, as it stands, MMA fans can rest easy knowing where Page’s preference still lies.
“I obviously have more tools available to me in MMA,” Page said. “I’m a person that likes kicks and things like that, as well, because I can be a little more creative. So I have to say MMA is still my home.”
Page, who snapped an 18-month layoff from MMA when he TKO’d David Rickels in the co-main event of Bellator 200 last month, is hoping for a return to the cage at some point before year’s end. But it looks like he might be putting on the boxing gloves before that.
“It takes a little while to kind of get the promotional side and just the opponents and stuff in terms of the MMA,” Page said. “Because they have a plan on what show they want me on. They’re businessmen, so they understand exactly what the best thing to do is. It’s a bit more of a chess game there, so I’m thinking it might take a little bit longer.
“I’m hoping to try and get another boxing fight in before having to jump back in the cage. It might change, but I’m saying now: Maybe one more boxing (match), August, early August, then straight on to an MMA fight, September, November, whenever I can strive for that.”