Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Matchroom Boxing, has dropped a significant clue regarding Francis Ngannou’s potential entry into the world of boxing. After failing to reach an agreement on a new contract, the former heavyweight champion parted ways with the UFC earlier this year.
Ngannou has expressed his strong desire to compete in boxing matches, and his new contract with the PFL grants him the opportunity to do so.
While there has been speculation about Francis potentially facing off against Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, no concrete plans seem to have yet materialized.
When will Francis Ngannou make his boxing debut?
Additionally, recent rumors have surfaced suggesting that Saudi Arabia is keen on hosting a momentous boxing event in December, featuring high-profile heavyweight matchups such as Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, Deontay Wilder vs. Anthony Joshua, and Francis vs. Derek Chisora.
Despite signing with the PFL in 2023, ‘The Predator’ is not expected to fight until 2024. However, since his new contract grants him a huge amount of freedom to pursue fights, we may see the Cameroonian take up the Saudi offer and appear for a match at the end of this year.
During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Ariel Helwani asked Eddie about the authenticity of these rumors. In response, the Matchroom Boxing promoter affirmed: “I mean I think that would be, I think that’s what they want.”
In a recent encounter at PFL, long-standing rivals Francis and Jon finally crossed paths. Their animosity has persisted for years, and there were previous speculations about a potential showdown between them if Ngannou had not departed from the UFC.
Is Francis Ngannou’s fighting career over
Reflecting on the face-to-face interaction between Ngannou and Jones, former UFC champion Daniel expressed his disappointment during the DC & RC show.
While conveying his sentiments, Cormier asserted that the encounter between the two fighters only serves as a stark reminder that the highly anticipated matchup will, in fact, never come to fruition.
“It’s a big deal but it kind of sucks. It just reminds us that it won’t happen. Because now that Francis [Ngannou] is gone there’s no way it could ever work. There’s no way it could ever be cross promoted to make it happen.,” said the former Two-division champ.
“Here’s one thing I took from that honestly, I watched them come up to each other and Francis ain’t afraid of nobody. He’s one of the baddest men on the planet. But as Jon’s grabbing him, touching his arm, and he’s talking to him, something changes in him whenever they’re face-to-face,” he added.
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