The two heavyweights vying to fight Francis Ngannou

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Cameroon-born Francis Ngannou made a name for himself and opened many business opportunities after his display of surprising skill, technique, and power on Saturday while fighting Tyson Fury in the boxing ring. Two heavyweight giants of the sport are trying to compete with the former UFC champion.

First among those seeking to sign a fight contract with the talented fighter is Britain’s Anthony Joshua, the former unified heavyweight champion who held the WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles before losing them to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk. Since then, the Brit has won two other heavyweight boxers most will argue were not among the famous names in professional boxing, one of whom was Robert Helenius.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, allegedly predicted that his man would win Francis Ngannou in three rounds, but this might sound like a joke to many. Before the bout between Tyson Fury and Ngannou, Hearn said that Ngannou was not built to fight for ten rounds and would be won within five by WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Anthony Joshua

It is very clear that many rate Tyson Fury to be high above Anthony Joshua’s level in power and win-probability, and that Francis Ngannou, called The Predator, who was dreadful in the octagon, is now also dangerous in boxing.

Ngannou was the hardest puncher in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) before leaving to sign up with another group called PFL (Professional Fighters League), and when many thought he needed more than that to win one of boxing’s finest, he submitted to boxing legend Mike Tyson’s tutelage and came out the dangerous boxer Tyson Fury met in the ring. He landed the hardest punches of the match, stayed out of harm’s way to a stunning degree, and knocked down Fury in the third round of their ten-round bout. Though Fury won by a split decision, many pundits believe Ngannou was the winner.

To put such a man in the ring with Anthony Joshua borders on wild gambling, but Anthony Joshua’s desire to fight in December might have played a huge part in Eddie Hearn’s move.

Another athlete seeking to be Francis Ngannou’s opponent is the United States’ Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion who still has no belt after being dethroned by tough Tyson Fury.

It is unanimous that the pugilist fans would like to see boxing with Francis Ngannou next, apart from Tyson Fury at a rematch, is hard-punching Deontay Wilder, who struck Fury down three times in the course of their title bout trilogy.

Deontay Wilder

Movement is going on in Wilder’s camp to secure a fight contract with Ngannou and Wilder’s signatures, but Ngannou only wants to have one match presently, if possible: that with Tyson Fury.

‘Our perfect date would still be February or March,’ said Ngannou. If Tyson is about to come do the rematch in March, we would push everything away and do the Tyson one first.’

However, Tyson Fury is still healing from the wounds from his bout with Francis Ngannou while preparing to face unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk early next year. It is highly unlikely for Ngannou to get a rematch earlier than the second half of next year. This is because of the rematch clause included in the contract Usyk and Tyson signed, which authorises the defeated opponent to request a rematch.

Francis Ngannou plans to keep fighting till he gets his chance.