Francis Ngannou Enters Talks With Tyson Fury’s Team For Boxing Bout
Ngannou has made it clear that he wants to box.
A boxing match between former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury continues to stay in negotiations.
Ngannou revealed that official talks with Fury’s team have already begun.
“I have talked to somebody, some of his advisors,” Ngannou told TMZ Sports.
“They are working on a fight with (Oleksandr) Usyk on April. So, until then, he will not be free. But I’m just trying to see if we can have an agreement before that fight.
“That will also give me time to get prepared for a boxing fight. So, I have no problem with that timeline that I’m hoping, I’m expecting, will be sometime in June, July, which is doable.”
Ngannou has been looking for his next step ever since turning down – what UFC President Dana White described to be – a hefty offer from the UFC. The Cameroonian fighter, however, said that he needed more than just money from his contract.
Ngannou has not fought since January 2022. Leading up to the fight against then-interim champion Ciryl Gane, Ngannou expressed his unhappiness with the promotion. He wanted a bigger paycheck and an option to box, among other things, he told media.
White told Ngannou through media that they could talk about his options if he defeats Gane.
And he did – in a comeback decision victory – but it seemed like White was never able to reach Ngannou’s expectations.
Ngannou wasn’t able to fight anyways, as he sustained knee injuries after his title defense.
In April, Ngannou appeared in the ring beside Fury after the Brit demolished mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.
Ever since then, Fury and Ngannou have kept talks of a potential matchup alive.
“Let’s see, I think it’s too early to make a conclusion,” Ngannou said.
“It’s too early to say anything about it, but it’s definitely something we are looking at. We are looking into it.”