EDDIE HEARN is planning talks with UFC supremo Dana White over Francis Ngannou facing Dillian Whyte in a cross-over fight where the “ring transforms into a cage between rounds”.
Boxing promoter Hearn wants a unique, two-in-one combat zone for a night of boxers vs UFC heroes.
Dillian Whyte is at the centre of innovative plans to combine boxing with UFC in a showdown with Francis NgannouCredit: Reuters
French-Cameroonian MMA star Francis Ngannou is ranked No2 in the UFC heavyweight divisionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
World title hopeful Whyte would spearhead the event against second-ranked UFC ace Ngannou in a heavyweight ‘dual duel’ blending the two sports.
Hearn said on his Instagram LIVE: “Ngannou against Whyte – the only thing is, do we go in the cage or do we go in the ring,
“I thought me and Dana [White] could put this night together where you’ve got a ring that also transforms into a cage between match ups.
“So you’ve got cross-over fights, but you’ve got MMA fighter against a boxer in a ring then you’ve got a boxer fighting a MMA fighter in the cage.”
Ngannou has already suggested he wants legend Mike Tyson – making a ring return aged 53 – to guide him should be ever turn to boxing.
He said on Tyson’s podcast: “I’ve been thinking this, it will be great if one day when I make my boxing debut, I want you in my corner.
“I wanna get your work, everything you know, and you know a lot, you’re like a library.”
THE FIGHT GARDEN
Hearn’s ring-and-cage scheme is The Matchroom Boxing kingpin’s latest innovative idea amid the coronavirus lockdown.
He hopes to stage Whyte’s showdown with Russia’s ex-WBA title holder Alexander Povetkin in his own GARDEN.
Hearn is dreaming of five-bout fight nights on four Saturdays in a row at his 15-acre site in Brentwood, Essex.
The £1million set-up could be ready as soon as mid-July, with “around 80 to 90” people on site.
Brit Whyte’s clash with Povetkin for the WBC interim heavyweight title would be the finale.
Hearn told the Mail: “Just imagine it. It is summer, the house is all lit up, you can see Canary Wharf in the distance and fireworks are going off.
“Then over the hill walk Whyte and Povetkin for a massive tear up on my lawn. World championship boxing in my garden? Oh, go on then.”
Eddie Hearn feared Mike Tyson was going to ‘chin’ him in first meeting with ‘sad’ boxing legend in Vegas club
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
