Francis Ngannou tipped to knock out Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua if boxing switch comes to fruition

The UFC heavyweight champion is debating a return to his boxing roots

Sarah Rendell
Tuesday 04 January 2022 16:51 GMT
Comments
Cameroon: Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou visits hometown

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou has been tipped to knock out fellow heavyweights Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua as he debates a switch to boxing.

The UFC champion has had tension with the promotion, which could see him return to his boxing roots. Ngannou will defend his belt against interim title holder Cyril Gane in January, but his future beyond that is unclear.

Podcaster and former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub believes Ngannou could sign with another MMA promotion, or fight boxers like Joshua, Fury and Wilder.

“You could go test the free agency and sign a deal with Bellator or Rizin or One Championship or PFL or Bare Knuckle, or something like that,” he said on The Schaub Show.

“And you have a stipulation in your contract where you can fight Fury and Wilder and Joshua. One of those fights will pay you more than any organisation in the world of MMA could possibly pay you.

“Win, lose or draw, you’re going to get paid. You know it’s a big risk, especially if you can get it done. Not only are you going to get paid, but you’re going to get paid twice.”

Ngannou told TMZ of his plans to box in the future: “It’s always been down the line. This is something I’m not taking my eyes off.

“This is gonna happen either way. Even if I stay... Even if, or when, the UFC and I finalise a [new] deal, the boxing part has to be in it.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in