Paulie Malignaggi has revealed the fighter he thinks would give new heavyweight star Francis Ngannou his ‘biggest payday.’
The former UFC Champion is currently in a great position despite losing his ten-round boxing debut on a close split decision in Riyadh.
He turned in such a good showing against heavy favourite Tyson Fury, the undefeated WBC champion, that many now give him a healthy chance against any of the division’s top dogs.
Speaking to ProBox TV, Malignaggi explained who he thinks would make for Ngannou’s biggest payday should he continue to box – Anthony Joshua
“Ideally you bring in Anthony Joshua who is beyond his prime and has been a little hesitant lately. Him and Ngannou creates a little bit of drama.
Tentative Joshua against puncher Ngannou – could that create a situation where Ngannou is dangerous? A Joshua would fight would earn him $15-20million at least. Joshua is the biggest money fight out of all the names being mentioned.”
Malignaggi then turned his thoughts to Fury, who the MMA star has made clear is very much the man he would like to fight again next.
“All this hinges on whether Fury fights [Oleksandr] Usyk. If Fury doesn’t fight Usyk, Usyk should go right in with Ngannou.”
The former world title holder then admitted that he thinks the Ngannou hype train could still easily be derailed.
“If a heavyweight trains properly for Ngannou, I don’t think it would be close, honestly, and the honeymoon would be over.”
Either way, the 37-year-old is set to earn some major money having never, according to Malignaggi, earned more than around $600,000 for any of his fights in MMA.