Deontay Wilder calls out Francis Ngannou for boxing and MMA fight

Doug MattushekDoug Mattushek10 February 2023
Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder has challenged former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to a boxing match, followed by an MMA bout.

Ngannou took the high road in recent fruitless negotiations with the UFC, opting to leave the promotion altogether and seek other avenues for his destructive power.

Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has shown interest - at least publicly - about stepping into a cage with Nagnnou, now Wilder has thrown his dented hat into the proverbial ring.

"I even thought about this idea... let's make it a two-fight deal," the American told Trill Boxing Talk.

"Everybody always comes to boxing. Let's do this - you come to my s***, I come to yours. You come to my house, I come to yours. A true tea party. I love that idea. I'm a true warrior.
"I'm very interested in it. If [Francis] wants to do a showdown and give some people some good fights and let's do it. I'd love to go over there to the continent and do it. That's going to be a Marvel fight, two big Black superheroes and let's just be nice. I'd love to do it. I think it would be great."
Ngannou has not openly responded to the challenge. It's widely known that its the promoters that make the fights, not the fighters themselves, but Wilder says all thhat matters is the bottom line.

"The whole scene is if it makes dollars, it makes sense and that's all they need to know," said the Bronze Bomber.

Teasing out the idea of crossin over into MMA, Wilder admitted that he would need significant training.

"I know how to whoop an ass," quipped the KO specialist, who has sent 42 out of his 44 opponents to the shadow realm with his incredible power.

"I know how to do that. I don't have mixed martial arts experience but of course if that happens, I'm going to get training and go from there. I wouldn't just go in not knowing nothing. If I'm going to do it, I'm really going to put for effort.

"Cause he's going to be training coming over where I am [in boxing]. Why would I not train in what he do? I might like the s***. I might crossover. This is my new home. I'm going to be kicking motherf****** now. For sure, I'll get one of the best trainers out there."