Francis Ngannou, fresh off a first-round knockout victory in his PFL debut, has announced his intention to return to the boxing ring, calling out former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder for a high-stakes showdown.
Ngannou’s boxing journey has been a rollercoaster. Despite a controversial split decision loss to Tyson Fury, where many believed he deserved the win, and a second-round knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua,
“The Predator” remains determined to prove himself in the squared circle. The allure of boxing’s lucrative paydays is undeniable, with Ngannou reportedly earning a combined $30 million from the Fury and Joshua fights – exceeding his total MMA career earnings.
Wilder, meanwhile, finds himself at a crossroads. After back-to-back losses to Tyson Fury, “The Bronze Bomber” has struggled to regain his footing. Recent defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang have raised questions about his future.
With his planned April bout against Curtis Harper reportedly cancelled, Wilder is in need of a high-profile opponent.
This opens the door for a clash with Ngannou, a fight that has been rumored for years. The two were previously linked to a two-fight deal, one in boxing and one in MMA, but negotiations fell apart when Ngannou opted to face Fury.
Now, with both men coming off losses, the stars seem to have aligned.
“I will do boxing next. I want to. I’m not done with boxing,” Ngannou declared. He sees the Wilder fight as a guaranteed knockout, stating, “There’s an 80% chance that somebody will go to sleep. It will be one or the other.”
Ngannou acknowledged the inherent ego involved in a matchup between two of the hardest hitters in combat sports, adding, “Deep inside me there is a little bit of ego, like I know I hit harder…Who is the biggest hitter between you and Deontay?”
This potential clash of titans promises fireworks. Ngannou’s raw power and Wilder’s explosive right hand create a recipe for a thrilling encounter.
