Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion and current PFL Superfight champion, plans to return to boxing, expressing interest in a potential matchup with Deontay Wilder due to the challenge and excitement of determining who is the harder hitter.
Francis Ngannou, with a plethora of choices in his fighting career, seems to have his eyes set on boxing. The former UFC heavyweight champ and current PFL Superfight champion has hinted that a return to the boxing ring is just around the corner.
“I will do boxing next,” Ngannou confidently shared with Sportsbook Review. “I want to. I’m not done with boxing.” He admitted MMA feels more familiar due to his experience but insists, “I say go for boxing.”
“The Predator” recently made a comeback to MMA after his last UFC title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 back in January 2022. In a fierce display at PFL Battle of the Giants, he demolished Renan Ferreira in the first round. Quite a spectacle!
Ngannou’s journey saw him part ways with UFC for PFL in early 2023. He then stepped into the boxing world twice—first losing narrowly to Tyson Fury in October 2023, followed by a devastating knockout loss to Anthony Joshua five months later. Tough breaks, but he’s undeterred.
He thrives on challenging himself against top-tier heavyweight boxers. Deontay Wilder poses a significant threat, yet Ngannou feels he offers Wilder an equally formidable challenge. That’s what makes it so enticing.
“Because there’s an 80 percent chance that somebody will go to sleep,” Ngannou remarked. A bold prediction! “It will be one or the other…”
While Wilder might not have knocked out opponents in his last two fights, he’s notorious for his knockout power. Ngannou respects that but believes he hits harder. Ego? Maybe just a smidge.
Conversations about who hits harder—Ngannou or Wilder—linger. Even if they claim indifference, such thoughts nestle in their minds. After all, who doesn’t want to be known as the biggest hitter?