Since his split from the UFC and expected switch to boxing, a number of top heavyweights have called out Francis Ngannou.
Former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, is the latest to throw his hat in the ring for a shot at the Cameroonian.
Ngannou became the first reigning champion to leave the MMA promotion since BJ Penn in 2004, when his deal expired last month, but the most devastating finisher in UFC history is not short of options.
Whilst other promotional outfits such as the PFL, Bellator and BKFC are showing interest, it appears that Ngannou fancies trying his hands at boxing.
Already, the likes of Tyson Fury, Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora have called Ngannou out, however in a recent interview with Trill Boxing Talk, Wilder revealed details of conversations had about a possible fight back when he was still in the UFC.
“I’m still interested in that fight, I would love to do that one in Africa.
We talked about it when he was with Dana [White], me and Dana sat down and talked about it. I told him if it makes dollar it makes sense. I’m very interested in it, if he wants a showdown, then let’s do it.”
Wilder went on to talk about making a deal now and a potential for fights both in the ring and the octagon.
“Let’s make it a two-fight deal. Everybody always comes to boxing, let’s do this: You come to my [sport], I’ll come to yours. You come to my house, I’ll come to yours. I’m a true warrior. I’m serious about that, too. I want to do something different since everybody doing this crossover between combat sports.
The MMA guys always come to boxing and of course they ain’t got no stand-up game as far as boxing is concerned so it’s always going to be more favoured on the boxing side.
You in our territory, just like being in the water with sharks. I don’t have mixed martial arts experience but of course if that happens, I’m going to go get training and stuff and go from there. If I’m going to do it, I’m going to really put forth effort and give the fans what they want. Let’s mix it up, you come here, I’ll go there.”
Ngannou’s final decision is yet to be made, but a clash between arguably the hardest hitting boxer of all time and the most powerful UFC champion in history would certainly capture the imagination of the public.