Comments Thread For: Francis Ngannou Confirms Talks With Deontay Wilder, Says 'Next Step' In His Career 'Has To Be Boxing'

[Liondw]

It would have to be in boxing, for the money that one cannot get in mma.

[TheOneAboveAll]

I mean...

As great a fighter as Francis is would it not make more sense to get some boxing fights in first before taking on a former heavyweight champion?

it will generate public interest sure and would be entertaining but when you put a cage fighter in the boxing ring the boxer will have the advantage as will vice versa a cage fighter will have the advantage against a boxer in the Octagon..

Not really. He's 36 yrs old and could well get outboxed or KO'd by any Top 50 HW boxer which would completely derail his plans. Besides the obvious fact that Ngannou doesn't have time to build up credibilty as a legitimate boxer, he doesn't have to. His profile as an international star and MMA champion earns him this opportunity. This is a cross-over novelty/circus show fight. Ngannou truly has nothing to lose given that he will earn more in this one fight than he could have in an entire UFC career.

[BritishBoxing92]

Not really. He's 36 yrs old and could well get outboxed or KO'd by any Top 50 HW boxer which would completely derail his plans. Besides the obvious fact that Ngannou doesn't have time to build up credibilty as a legitimate boxer, he doesn't have to. His profile as an international star and MMA champion earns him this opportunity. This is a cross-over novelty/circus show fight. Ngannou truly has nothing to lose given that he will earn more in this one fight than he could have in an entire UFC career.

Makes sense...

if he loses to a lower ranked heavyweight boxer it kills any chance off a future fight with guys like Wilder...

so the money mindset is with striking up a fight deal with him while the opportunity is there...

given his former reign as UFC Heavyweight champion makes it more marketable..

nothing to lose sure he can strike gold with this fight and earn a lot off money..

people with disagree with me but a few fights in boxing and getting himself used to fighting in the ring first would have been better off and got him used to boxing, that being said even if he does well and wins a few fights ultimately there can only be one winner between him and Wilder if or when they face off regardless to previous preparation..

[A.B Counterhooks]

Boxing fan since the 70s/80s,
Ufc fan since it began.
Derrick Lewis out boxed Ngannou, Gane was also out boxing Ngannou. It might be Ngannou's first love but he can't box.

It's a money fight for the casuals that will sell & I'll definitely watch it depending on the time zone, or in the morning with a cuppa Joe & a full english.

Yeap, francis cant box worth a damn but mofo can punch hard AF, Is no that wilder is the greatest boxer out there either but he obviously has more fundamentals. Can't wait to stream crossover circus lol.

[Lefty0616]

Glad your not anybody's manager. Wilder is not in line for Usyk and AJ doesn't seem to want to fight him. Ruiz Jr is a fun fight, but it brings peanuts compared to a Ngannou fight. Fighting and KOing a reigning (yes, I know UFC closed the doors on him) UFC HW champion does so much more for Wilder financially and in terms of exposure than a Ruiz Jr fight ever could. I personally think Ruiz Jr beats him, but the general sports fan doesn't so if Wilder does fight and beat Ruiz Jr, it doesn't change his position or status at all.

Are you kidding me? If Wilder faces Ruiz, and beats him decisively, that puts him in line for the Usyk/Fury winner. If Usyk wins, Deontay Wilder has a puncher's chance of dethroning Usyk. Wins over both Ruiz and Usyk will bring him more money and fame in the long run - not to mention there could be a fight in line against Joshua (should Joshua get back on the winning trail). If he faces Francis and loses, it's game over!