FRANCIS NGANNOU has talked up a super-fight with Deontay Wilder – but there could be a twist.
Ngannou swapped the MMA cage for the boxing ring for his crossover clash in Saudi Arabia against Tyson Fury.
And he astonishingly dropped Fury and was desperately unfortunate to walk away on the losing end of a split-decision.
Ngannou’s heroic performance has seen him leave the door open to more boxing bouts.
He previously held talks to face Wilder before finalising a deal with Fury.
The fight could now be re-visited but according to Ngannou, possibly in the cage.
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He said on The MMA Hour: “I think that is a good idea.
“In fact, we have spoken about that. In fact, that has been in the discussions. So that’s something that can potentially happen.
“Deontay Wilder for a couple of months, for a little while now, has been training MMA. Because there is an option here.
“Nothing is set, but it’s been something been coming to my ear, to my attention, so that’s something that makes sense.
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“He’s really serious about MMA. I know a lot of people talk, ‘I’m going to do this in boxing and do that in MMA.’
“But Deontay Wilder is very interested in MMA and even to step in the octagon for MMA and MMA only.”
Wilder, 38, has previously called for a two-bout deal with Ngannou, 37, to fight in both boxing and MMA.
Ngannou walked out on the UFC to pursue boxing while also signing for the Professional Fighters League.
PFL owner Donn Davis – who gave his blessing to the heavyweight to box – has welcomed Wilder over to the cage.
Davis said: “What would I think would be fascinating? Deontay Wilder in a mixed rules fight. I always say, what do I want to see?
“I know a lot about boxing and a lot about MMA, but I’m not a savant. I’m not a deep, deep, deep insider.
“So I like to test, what do I think millions of people would love to see? I think that’s the most interesting thing we could all see.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk