Francis Ngannou issues boxing challenge to Deontay Wilder
02/15/2025 07:36 PM
Francis Ngannou is keen to see how his power measures up against Deontay Wilder in the boxing ring.
Despite signing for the PFL almost two years ago, 'The Predator' has fought just once in the SmartCage. The Cameroon native has seemingly fallen in love with the sport of boxing, and if he gets his wish, he will be competing in his third bout inside the squared circle since leaving the UFC—three times as many fights as he has in mixed martial arts during that time.
Reports of a meeting between Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder inside the boxing ring have persisted for several years. The two titans have teased a potential matchup for some time, and it now looks like the former UFC heavyweight king is ready to make those rumors a reality.
"I will do boxing next," Ngannou said about his combat sports future. "I want to. I'm not done with boxing. It's not that MMA is easy—it's the sport that I understand better and I have more experience in—but I say go for boxing."
"[I want to fight Deontay Wilder] because there's an 80% chance that somebody will go to sleep. It will be one or the other."
"Maybe not in his past two fights but Deontay Wilder is known as a guy that knocks everybody out or tries to knock you out. I'm going against that guy, and I myself can knock someone out."
"Deep inside me, there is a little bit of ego. Like, I know I hit harder."
Related: Deontay Wilder makes respectful call out to Francis Ngannou
Ngannou later revealed that Turki Alalshikh has promised him a super-fight this year.
"We didn't have the opportunity [to plan my future] but we exchanged words," Ngannou said. "Turki Alalshikh said he was working on something big for me this year."
"He said we have to do something big—either Jon Jones or Wilder. That's what he told me personally." [h/t Sportsbook Review]
