Francis Ngannou may struggle 3 heavyweights subsequent after giving Tyson Fury fright
In the blink of an eye fixed, Francis Ngannou has turn into one of the talked about boxers within the heavyweight division. The former UFC world champion shocked the game when he knocked down WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury of their crossover contest in Saudi Arabia final Saturday. Against all odds, the 37-year-old African fighter appeared like he was about to drag off one of many largest shocks within the historical past of the game after taking the Gypsy King all the way in which throughout 10 rounds, however he was in the end denied by a doubtful break up resolution that spared Fury’s blushes.
Ngannou could have ‘misplaced’ his first skilled boxing contest however his popularity has by no means been held in increased regard. His heroics towards Fury may have promoters falling over themselves to get ‘The Predator’ on their struggle playing cards, however what’s his subsequent transfer?
A return to MMA subsequent yr is definite because the Cameroon nationwide has already signed a contract to hitch the Professional Fighters League (PFL) however having come so near defeating Fury there isn’t a likelihood that we have now seen the final of Ngannou in a boxing ring.
With that thoughts, who may he struggle subsequent?
Deontay Wilder
The Bronze Bomber had been linked with a struggle towards Ngannou earlier than he took Fury the space however not beneath Queensbury guidelines. Instead Wilder may tackle the ex-UFC champion within the MMA octagon.
Speaking on the MMA Hour concerning the prospect of dealing with Wilder, Ngannou mentioned: “I think that is a good idea. In fact, we have spoken about that. That has been in the discussions.
“That is one thing that would doubtlessly occur, so Deontay Wilder for a few months, a short while now, has been coaching MMA as a result of there’s the choice. Nothing is about however it’s one thing [that has] been coming in my ear, to my consideration.
“I think Deontay Wilder is really interested in MMA, just to step into the octagon. But it’s going to be hard, it’s going to be a different place for him unlike this time [against Fury] when I was the one experiencing the mountain, climbing the mountain. He’s going to be the one climbing the mountain.”
Anthony Joshua
A head-to-head with British former world champion Joshua didn’t look notably possible till Ngannou took Fury all the way in which in Riyadh final weekend. But his efficiency could possibly be one thing of a game-changer.
AJ has beforehand dismissed the concept of getting concerned with crossover boxing, insisting that he was solely centered on regaining a heavyweight world title, however Ngannou’s credibility as a critical boxer has simply gone by means of the roof and will start to maneuver the goalposts.
Fury has lately indicated that Joshua has no likelihood of dealing with him for his WBC belt, claiming “that bird has already flown”, but when Joshua was to document a convincing win towards Ngannou – one thing that was apparently past the Gypsy King, then he could be in a a lot stronger place to problem as soon as extra for a championship belt.
The cash that could possibly be comprised of such an encounter is not going to be misplaced on Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn both.
Tyson Fury (rematch)
Fury could have been declared the winner in Saudi Arabia towards Ngannou, however to recommend that the break up resolution was a doubtful one could be placing it mildly. Fury initially dominated out the prospect of a rematch, which could possibly be thought of comprehensible given {that a} deal has already been agreed for the Gypsy King to face triple belt holder Oleksandr Usyk in a heavyweight unification match that had been tipped to happen on December 23 however is extra more likely to go forward early subsequent yr.
But with Fury having come so near dropping his undefeated document, a re-match with Ngannou can absolutely not be taken off the desk as soon as the struggle to finish all fights with Usyk has been settled both approach.
That is a sentiment shared by Ngannou’s long-time consultant Marquel Martin, who on Wednesday instructed the MMA Hour: “Knowing that Tyson has his fight with Usyk, afterward there’s going to be an opportunity to do the rematch.
“I’ve an excessive amount of respect for Tyson to even suppose that he wouldn’t contemplate [Ngannou] as a competitor. When you’re in your prime on the high of your sport, like Tyson Fury is, you’re not going to sleep until you your self know that you just received the struggle honest and sq.. Right?
“In my mind, even his team, seeing them at the airport, his team didn’t have that vibe of like, ‘We just won.’ His team had a vibe of like, ‘We got away with one.’ And I would like to think that as a competitor, that he would welcome that rematch.”
Whoever Ngannou finally ends up dealing with subsequent, it could appear that he’s extraordinarily shut to creating a agency resolution, as Martin claimed the selection of opponent “is probably 90 per cent made”.