Former heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder suggests that an announcement regarding a fight with Francis Ngannou might be imminent.
Francis Ngannou, a former UFC champion, has had varied experiences since leaving the UFC in 2023. Following disagreements over his contract with Dana White and UFC management, Ngannou was released and pursued boxing opportunities, facing Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Despite losses to Fury and Joshua, Ngannou did not achieve a victory in professional boxing. However, he successfully returned to MMA, securing a win against Renan Ferreira, the 2023 PFL champion, in his comeback fight last year.
Ngannou is planning to return to boxing later in 2025, aiming to make a significant impact in his third boxing match. Deontay Wilder is high on Ngannou`s list of potential opponents, and Wilder has also shown interest in fighting Ngannou in either MMA or boxing.
Deontay Wilder Indicates Potential Fight Booking with Francis Ngannou
As speculation about a Ngannou vs. Wilder fight continues, Wilder has made comments hinting at a possible bout with the former UFC star. He suggested a second fight is being planned for December, following his upcoming match against Tyrrell Herndon on June 27th in Wichita, Kansas.
In a recent interview on the ARIEL X ADE show, Wilder responded to questions about the possibility of a Ngannou fight later in 2025, saying, “Me and Francis, that fight, it still comes up. It came up two more times not too long ago. We’re just trying to figure out how we want the segment to go with me and Ngannou. I’m definitely interested, he is as well. I guess it’s just a matter of… time.”
“It’s looking to be done, but it’s just all of the details and stuff like that. I’m looking forward to that one, so stay tuned,” Wilder added.
Wilder`s immediate focus is his return to winning form against Herndon in June. Wilder has experienced defeat in four of his last five fights, including a knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang in his most recent fight last summer.
PFL Offered Jon Jones $50 Million for a Cross-Promotion Fight with Francis Ngannou
Ngannou`s anticipated return to boxing follows an offer from PFL founder Donn Davis to Jon Jones, proposing $50 million for a fight against Ngannou in the PFL SmartCage. Jones is currently in negotiations to fight Tom Aspinall later this year to unify the UFC heavyweight titles.
Discussions about a Jones vs. Ngannou fight began after Ngannou won the UFC heavyweight title in 2021 by defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 260. However, an agreement was not reached, and White attributed the failed negotiation to Ngannou.
Despite past issues, both Jones and Ngannou remain interested in a super heavyweight clash. However, given the strained relationship between White and Ngannou, such a fight is unlikely unless Jones were to leave the UFC.
