Deontay Wilder has kept the door open to a blockbuster crossover fight with former UFC heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou last week announced that he would not be renewing his contract in the UFC, with a dispute over pay and pay per view shares believed to be a pivotal factor in the decision.
As ‘The Predator’ looks for more lucrative fights across both boxing and the world of MMA, talk of various fantasy match ups with pugilism’s elite heavyweights has inevitably began to surface.
And when asked about the possibility of a fight with Ngannou by ESNews, former WBC world champion Wilder kept the door firmly open.
“I would love to [fight Ngannou]. I respect his decision about what he done.”
The fight would undoubtedly be sold on the two biggest punchers from their respective sports colliding – an intriguing prospect for combat sports fans on either side.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ announced his return to the blue ribbon division with destructive aplomb last October, taking around two minutes to dispatch of comeback opponent Robert Helenius in New York.
Questions had been raised regarding what shape Wilder would be in – both physically and mentally – after two successive punishing defeats to Tyson Fury, however the Helenius fight made clear that Wilder is just as dangerous as ever.
A WBC final eliminator against fellow American Andy Ruiz Jr looks set to be next for the Alabama puncher, after the governing body ordered the fight between the pair at their annual convention in November.
If the Ruiz Jr is to be next and Wilder manages to get his had raised, an incredible FOURTH fight with nemesis Fury could be on the cards – provided ‘The Gypsy King’ is in possession of the WBC strap at that moment.