Ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou provides update on potential Deontay Wilder boxing match
Francis Ngannou is working on a two-fight deal with Deontay Wilder.
'The Predator' famously walked out of the UFC in January as the heavyweight champion. He was quickly stripped of the title, with Jon Jones later defeating Ciryl Gane for the vacant championship earlier this month. While 'Bones' and the UFC have returned to business as normal, that hasn't been the case for the former champion.
As of now, Ngannou is still a free agent but has seemingly hinted that his days in MMA could be done for now. Instead, the former UFC champion has targeted a jump in the boxing ring. Since his exit from the MMA promotion, he's been linked to several promoters and fights. Tyson Fury, as has Eddie Hearn, has shown interest in Ngannou.
However, talks have instead intensified with Deontay Wilder. 'The Bronze Bomber' is hot off his knockout win over Robert Helenius last year and is down to face Ngannou. Wilder recently proposed that the two compete twice, once in MMA and once in boxing.
Deontay Wilder has reiterated that he is willing to fight Francis Ngannou in a two-fight boxing/MMA deal, but said Ngannou replied and told him he only wants to do boxing: "Whether we do all boxing, all MMA or boxing and MMA, I'm down for the smoke on all three." [78SPORTSTV]
In a recent interview with TMZ, Francis Ngannou discussed how talks are going between the two sides. There, he revealed:
"We are looking into that. He's available and ready to do that, he's very excited and he wants it. So, we are looking into that, and that's something I'm very excited about. We even discussed a potential one fight in Africa and one somewhere else. Even, why not? Doing both the fights in Africa."
See his comments below:
Francis Ngannou discusses the challenges of a boxing debut
Francis Ngannou is leaving no stone unturned in his boxing debut.
It's easy to forget, but 'The Predator' rose to the world of MMA much quicker than he had any right to. Ngannou made his debut in 2013, and within five years was challenging for UFC gold.
FRANCIS NGANNOU AVAIT DÉTRUIT STIPE MIOCIC 😳
Nous le reverrons sûrement plus à l’UFC
https://t.co/6Okmy7tBQq
Within eight years, he was finally a heavyweight champion. While he will likely be at an accelerated pace in his boxing career, Ngannou still feels he can have similar success.
However, with a new sport comes new challenges. Those challenges are even bigger when your debut could possibly come against Deontay Wilder. In the interview with TMZ, Ngannou stated:
"That's the beauty of the sport, the challenge. You go out there and test yourself against something that might seem impossible... In the boxing world, I'm going to find my way. I'm really intending to have multiple fights and sneak myself in as a top boxer as well."