Anthony Joshua in shock talks to fight fearsome ex-UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou
FRANCIS NGANNOU has revealed shock talks to fight Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder after leaving the UFC.
The heavyweight star is a free agent having failed to agree a new UFC contract and walking out on the promotion.
Ngannou, 36, confirmed he is eyeing a switch to boxing and has held talks with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Wilder’s team.
He told ESPN: “My next step has to be boxing.
“I want to do one boxing match first, and then maybe go back to MMA because I still enjoy MMA. I want to do a couple of fights in boxing.
“We are working on some stuff and hopefully in a month or two, I will be able to come out with an announcement on potential fight dates and locations.
“It’s taking a little longer than I expected but it’s coming along. Big things come with time.
“I’m considering everybody. I talked to Eddie Hearn about Anthony Joshua, I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“The most that we have spoken with is Deontay Wilder’s team. We’ve been having some exchanges, basically coming to some sort of verbal agreement.”
Wilder, 37, has even offered to face Ngannou in both the ring and cage as part of a two-fight deal.
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Meanwhile, Hearn has expressed an interest in having Joshua, 33, meet Ngannou in a crossover bout in the future.
The Cameroonian left the UFC amid talks of a super-fight with Jon Jones, 35, who has since picked up the heavyweight title.
Ngannou said: “For three years I tried to fight Jon Jones. I did everything to have that fight. I wanted that fight, but not at any cost.
“There is not a fight on Earth I would back down for. I would go there and whatever happens, happens. It’s the sport.
“Jon Jones is not the guy. He might be the best fighter ever, but he’s not the guy I’m running away from. Nah. Not him.
“I would fight Jon Jones twice a month.”