Promoter Eddie Hearn is not convinced that Francis Ngannou is capable of competing with any of the heavyweight boxers that are highly ranked.

The former UFC heavyweight champion is looking to make his pro boxing debut before the end of 2023.

Earlier this year, Ngannou parted ways with the UFC after both sides were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract.

Ngannou would like to face WBC world champion Tyson Fury, former unified king Anthony Joshua or former beltholder Deontay Wilder.

Hearn believes someone like Fury would simply toy with Ngannou. And he doesn't like the big puncher's chances against any heavyweight in the top 20. 

The only chance Hearn gives to Ngannou, is to come out guns blazing from the opening bell with the hope of landing a lucky shot.

However, Hearn admits that Joshua's most recent performance would give some MMA observers a shred of hope that Ngannou stands a chance of shocking the British star.

“You cannot in a million years, with Francis Ngannou’s ability in boxing and pedigree in boxing, go in and compete technically [or] skill-wise  [with a top rated boxer]. Not just with AJ, but with any top-twenty heavyweight in the world, but in that division, what the difference is, what you can do is you can knock someone out. So it doesn’t matter whether Francis fights Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and I agree with you. Fury is a horrible fight for Francis Ngannou cause he’d just poke him around," Hearn told The MMA Hour.

“Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Derek Chisora, Jermaine Franklin. He has no chance against those guys other than to be aggressive, trade up, and catch someone clean and take them out. I think you’re right in your statement that people would give Francis a much better chance against AJ having watched that performance [against Jermaine Franklin] in your world.”