‘I want to fight the top guys’ – Francis Ngannou names Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua as ‘ideal’ boxing debut opponents after shock UFC exit
Francis Ngannou is eyeing big boxing bouts with British superstars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua following his shock UFC exit.
UFC president Dana White announced on Saturday that ‘The Predator’ had been stripped of his undisputed heavyweight title, released by the UFC and is now free to pursue other opportunities.
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This comes almost a year on from his win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 which triggered lengthy contract talks with MMA’s premier promotion as Ngannou’s contract had technically expired.
However, talks between the two parties were unfruitful, partly because the Cameroonian knockout artist wanted the freedom to take big boxing fights should they arise.
In April, he jumped in the ring after Fury stopped Whyte at Wembley Stadium and the two men talked up a potential crossover fight with hybrid rules.
Now, that he is a free agent, Ngannou is hoping to make that fight happen but says he’s also interested in taking on Joshua and MMA fighters outside of the UFC.
He told : "I still want to achieve something in boxing and I want to stay in MMA as well. I discovered MMA first in my life and I feel like I have some mileage to give in my sport.
"In a perfect world, I go out there get some boxing match then get some MMA, depending on the challenges that are out there. If they are out there, I want to fight the top guys in boxing.
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"I think Fury has retired, coming back, [is] fighting Usyk. I don't know where Fury is right now but I’m going to find out, now it is time.
"Before besides social media things, we could not do anything concrete but now we can engage in talks and figure everything out.
"Whatever it is, if it is with Tyson Fury, I will take it. I have no problem doing boxing with 4oz gloves.
“We will figure it out. Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent."
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‘The Gypsy King’ has bigger fish to fry at the minute with a historic heavyweight undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk expected to take place in March.
However, he could revisit a potential fight with Ngannou afterward or face the former UFC fighter next if, for whatever reason, his fight with Usyk doesn’t happen.
Meanwhile, Joshua is looking to rebuild after back-to-back losses against ‘The Joker’. ‘
'AJ’ has been heavily linked to a fight with Dillian Whyte’s last opponent, Jermaine Franklin, but it’s not a done deal and Ngannou may be viewed as a much more intriguing comeback opponent.
If one of Britain's best wants to fight Ngannou, they'll have to act fast as the 36-year-old is expected to be inundated with offers from other boxers, MMA promotions and Hollywood in the coming days.
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