Francis Ngannou Provides Update on Boxing Debut, Potential Opponents Include Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua

Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion from Cameroon, has announced that he will make his boxing debut in the near future, potentially within the next month or two. In an interview with ESPN, Ngannou expressed his desire to have a boxing match before returning to the octagon.

Ngannou has had discussions with several potential opponents, including former champion Deontay Wilder, who has also expressed interest in fighting Ngannou. They have even considered holding a fight in Africa. Ngannou has also spoken to British promoter Eddie Hearn about a potential fight with star heavyweight Anthony Joshua.

“My next step has to be boxing, I want to do one boxing match first, and then maybe go back to MMA because I still enjoy MMA. I want to do a couple of fights in boxing. We are working on some stuff and hopefully, in a month or two, I will be able to come out with an announcement on potential fight dates and locations. It's taking a little longer than I expected but it's coming along. Big things come with time."

“I'm considering everybody [as an opponent]. I talked to [promoter] Eddie Hearn about Anthony Joshua, I don't know what's going to happen. The most that we have spoken with is Deontay Wilder's team. We've been having some exchanges, basically coming to some sort of verbal agreement.”

Ngannou left the UFC after they could not agree on a contract extension. The UFC stripped Ngannou of his heavyweight title belt, which was subsequently claimed by Jon Jones in a vacant title bout with a stoppage over Ciryl Gane last weekend at UFC 285.

Ngannou has expressed his passion for bringing a big fight to Africa, stating that he has always wanted to have an event there. “That's my personal mission,” he said. “To fight at home but also to give my people a show, an opportunity to see all those big events and give a gift to the kids to believe in this sport and let them know that anything is possible. I'm still working to bring something to Africa and I will do that.”