Francis Ngannou issues chilling warning to Deontay Wilder as heavyweight star plots boxing return
'The Predator' - who has lost his first two boxing fights - is not done with the sport and is now sensationally targeting a showdown with Wilder
Former UFC heavyweight star Francis Ngannou is planning on a return to boxing next and is eyeing up a showdown with knockout artist Deontay Wilder.
'The Predator' parted ways with the UFC in 2023 to sign for its rival promotion, PFL. However, before competing in his first fight in the MMA organisation, the heavyweight star wanted to move into the world of boxing. Ngannou first went head-to-head with Tyson Fury. Despite dropping the Brit, the former UFC heavyweight champion would go on to lose via split decision.
However, he was not done there and decided to return to the ring last year, taking on Anthony Joshua. However, he was brutally knocked out by 'AJ' in the second round of their dust-up in Saudi Arabia. A few months on from the defeat to the Brit, the 38-year-old returned to the cage to take on Renan Ferreira and needed just a few minutes to knock the Brazilian giant out cold.
Whilst many assumed Ngannou's next fight would take place inside the SmartCage, it would appear that the MMA star is plotting a lucrative showdown with 'The Bronze Bomber.' The potential showdown would pit two of combat sport's hardest hitters against each other and would no doubt attract millions of viewers.
READ MORE: Mike Tyson forced to respond to Jake Paul's claim legend has Parkinson'sREAD MORE: Arsenal fan Hamzah Sheeraz on influence Chelsea star Eden Hazard had on his boxing careerIn an interview with Sportsbook Review, Ngannou said: "I will do boxing next. [I'm passionate about fighting Deontay Wilder] because there's an 80 percent chance that somebody will go to sleep. It will be one or the other. Maybe not in his past two fights, but Deontay Wilder is known as a guy that knocks everybody out or tries to knock you out.
"I'm going against that guy, and I myself can knock someone out. Deep inside me there is a little bit of ego, like I know I hit harder. I'm saying from my experience that we will have that ego that we both want to prove 'no, it's me [who hits harder]. Who is the biggest hitter between you and Deontay? Those sorts of conversations are popping around a little bit and even though you think you don't care about it, it sticks somewhere in your mind."
'The Bronze Bomber' is widely regarded as one of the hardest-hitting punchers in the history of the sport, but his best days are arguably behind him following back-to-back defeats against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. PFL chairman Donn Davis recently provided an update on what to expect from Ngannou in 2025 and has revealed plans for a potential 'hybrid rules' showdown with 'The Bronze Bomber.'
In an interview with Sky Sports, he said: "He's going to fight twice this year - once in MMA, once in boxing. What order? I'm not sure. What opponents? We're working on options. I think Deontay Wilder is one that we've talked about, that he has talked about. Some sort of mixed rules or alternating rounds or just taking one aspect away from MMA rules. I think Deontay Wilder is particularly interesting but you have to get the fans to understand it and it be a legitimate sport.
"We view it as upside but there is risk. There is no free lunch in the world whatever you do. Could he get hurt? Could he diminish his reputation? Could it delay certain schedules? Could it hurt other opponents? Of course, there is no free lunch. He's now the most beloved fighter because of the challenges and the risks he's taken so we view the upside as greater than the downside."
