Francis Ngannou says his staff has been in touch with Tyson Fury’s staff about establishing their much-discussed superfight.
Earlier this month, Ngannou formally parted methods with the UFC after he and the promotion have been unable to come back to phrases on a brand new deal. One of many key requests from Ngannou throughout the negotiations was the ability to pursue boxing bouts while still under UFC contract. Now a free agent, Ngannou and his staff are free to pursue any fights they need, and the previous UFC heavyweight champion says they’re already engaged on the largest one in every of all.
“I’ve talked to anyone, a few of [Tyson Fury’s] advisors, however they’re engaged on a battle with [Oleksandr] Usyk in April,” Ngannou informed TMZ Sports. “So, till then, he is not going to be free. However I’m making an attempt to see if we will have an settlement earlier than that battle.
“That will even give me a while to get ready for a boxing battle. So I’ve no drawback with the timeline that I’m anticipating, that I hope can be someday in June, July, which is doable. So let’s see. I feel it’s too early to make a conclusion. It’s too early to say something about it however it’s undoubtedly one thing that we’re wanting into.”
For over a yr, Ngannou and Fury have been constructing curiosity in a superfight between the 2, with Ngannou even showing up ringside for Fury’s TKO victory over Dillian Whyte in April. Earlier this week, Fury renewed his curiosity within the battle, calling out Ngannou for a bout in four-ounce gloves. Ngannou remains to be clearly within the battle, although he has additionally thrown out Anthony Joshua as a doable opponent, if he can’t come to phrases with Fury, and whereas “The Predator” nonetheless believes that’s an possibility, he thinks the Fury battle will in the end get made.
“We’ve been speaking about this battle the previous two years,” Ngannou stated. “A bit over two years. I feel at this level, the individuals are ready for this battle and speaking about this battle greater than the Joshua battle, though the Joshua battle remains to be a large battle. I’d say each fights can be in the identical magnitude of battle, however we’re sort of superior and prepared to battle with Tyson Fury, and that appears like the best way to go.”
Whereas nothing is official for a Fury vs. Usyk battle, issues do appear to be trending in direction of a spring bout between the 2 champions. Ngannou, in the meantime, final fought at UFC UFC 270, defending his heavyweight title in opposition to interim champion Ciryl Gane.
