Francis Ngannou: ‘My subsequent step needs to be boxing’

Effectively over a yr since he final competed, Francis Ngannou is eager to throw some heavy leather-based as soon as extra — however the former UFC heavyweight champion says that he’s certain that his subsequent struggle will happen in a boxing ring.

Ngannou has made no secret of his want to compete within the candy science, even reportedly asking for a boxing provision as a part of his (in the end failed) contract negotiations with the UFC which led to him exiting the promotion. However whereas his subsequent transfer stays unclear, there seems to be no scarcity of choices. He has already been strongly linked to an exhibition bout with Tyson Fury, who invited Ngannou into the ring following his KO win in opposition to Dillian Whyte in London final April.

Extra lately Deontay Wilder has steered {that a} two-fight deal may very well be organized; one struggle in boxing and one struggle in MMA.

However so far as Ngannou is worried, he doesn’t but know the id of the subsequent man he’ll struggle however he is aware of that it’ll come inside a hoop quite than a cage.

“My subsequent step needs to be boxing. I wish to do one boxing match first, after which perhaps return to MMA as a result of I nonetheless take pleasure in MMA. I wish to do a few fights in boxing,” he stated, by way of ESPN.

“We’re engaged on some stuff and hopefully in a month or two, I can come out with an announcement on potential struggle dates and places. “It’s taking just a little longer than I anticipated nevertheless it’s coming alongside. Massive issues include time. I talked to Eddie Hearn about Anthony Joshua, I don’t know what’s going to occur. Essentially the most that now we have spoken with is Deontay Wilder ‘s group. We’ve been having some exchanges, mainly coming to some form of verbal settlement. However I’m contemplating everyone [as an opponent].”

One other title who may very well be in rivalry is Anthony Joshua, whose promoter Eddie Hearn informed iFL TV this week of his current journey to Las Vegas to speak store with the previous UFC heavyweight phenom.

“I flew to Vegas to see Francis,” Hearn informed iFL TV. “What a man, what a narrative. We had a beautiful lunch, and I’m to work with him in boxing. I believe he’s an enormous title. The Joshua struggle was mentioned and we’ll see the way it unfolds.

“I believe it’s very troublesome to leap into boxing at that form of degree however he’s robust, he can punch and he’s an enormous star.

feedback