FRANCIS NGANNOU is in line for a huge eight-figure deal to fight Anthony Joshua – who stands to earn even more.
Ngannou will take to the boxing ring again after a crossover bout with AJ in Saudi Arabia was announced.
It was in October he put his MMA career on hold to face heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
And Ngannou, 37, astonishingly dropped Fury, 35, only to lose a controversial points decision.
The ex-UFC star wanted a rematch but Fury is instead signed for an undisputed title bout with Oleksandr Usyk, 36, on February 17 in Saudi.
Ngannou walked away with $10million (£7.8m) for his boxing debut against Fury, but he is expecting to make more for his ring return.
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His manager Marquel Martin told Sports Business Journal that Ngannou will make over $10m against Joshua.
And Forbes predict after pay-per-view and additional bonuses, the Cameroonian will take home at least $20m (£15.7m).
But, it is added AJ will make even more.
He had inked a deal to finally meet Deontay Wilder in a blockbuster package worth £100million for the pair.
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But that was blown when Wilder, 38, suffered a shock defeat to Joseph Parker, 31.
Joshua, 34, who beat Otto Wallin staright afterwads, was then left to look elsewhere for his next fight.
Ngannou proved to be the most lucrative option on the table and the pair look set to headline on Friday, March 8 after AJ appeared to leak the date.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
