Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is still eager to push ahead with his ambition of having a boxing match with a top-rated pugilist.
The man Ngannou wants to face is former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder.
Ngannou, 36-years-old, has already revealed in a recent interview that he’s been talking with Wilder’s team about a potential fight.
According to Ngannou, there are talks to stage this fight in Africa – with a potential second contest to follow.
“We are looking into [Deontay Wilder] because he’s available. He’s ready for that. He’s very excited about [a fight with me]. He wants it. So, we are looking into that. That’s something I’m very excited about. We even discussed a potential one fight in Africa and one fight somewhere else. Why not even the two fights in Africa?,” Ngannou told TMZ.
Ngannou was regarded as one of the most dangerous punchers in UFC history, but he openly admits that landing a big punch on a seasoned boxer is not as easy as it looks.
“I can knock everybody out. I have to be clear about something. To hit that person you have to get a clear shot which is more about technique and experience I don’t have. So, I’m very aware of that aspect,” Ngannou says.
“It’s not like ‘hit me, I hit you, and then we see who goes down.’ It’s a combat sport. Everybody trying not to get hit. I’m thinking more about the technique or the boxing side of it. The beauty of it. Then at the end, if you get an opportunity to connect then good. If not, I’m still expecting to win that fight in the decision so that’s how I’m preparing myself.”
Wilder, regarded by many observers as the biggest one-punch hitter in the sport, was in action last fall when he brutally knocked out Robert Helenius in the first round.