UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou still plans on having a boxing match at some point in the future.
Ngannou takes on former champion Junior dos Santos in the main event of UFC Minneapolis on June 29. A win, particularly a decisive one, could cement “The Predator” getting another title shot.
However, many, like UFC commentator Joe Rogan, remain intrigued by the possibility of the heavy-handed Cameroonian putting on boxing gloves and taking on knockout artists like WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
“Mark my words, if Francis Ngannou decides to jump ship and go to heavyweight boxing, he will nuke some fools,” Rogan said on his podcast last month. “It’s going to take a long time to get to (Deontay) Wilder’s level. Wilder’s a world champ. He’s undefeated. Francis Ngannou’s not ready to box with Wilder right now, but let me tell you something…he might connect.
“Wilder’s not the slickest guy in the world. We’re not talking about Muhammad Ali or Floyd Mayweather. He most gets by on power and range.”
Responding to those comments, Ngannou also seems to be intrigued by a boxing match, revealing that the sweet science was actually his first love.
“First of all, boxing is my background,” Ngannou told Helen Yee in a recent interview. “Boxing was my first love. For more than 10 years, I’ve been loving boxing without even knowing what MMA was.
“I got into MMA by opportunity, but I’m still a boxing lover. I think at one point, I can end up crossing paths with that dream.”
Ngannou didn’t have any names in particular, but the prospect of him facing a Wilder or Anthony Joshua has been discussed in the past. And while most MMA stars talk of wanting to box, only Conor McGregor has really done it at a high level.
However, Ngannou seems to be confident that it can actually happen at some point.
“Sooner or later, it might happen, yes,” Ngannou added with a smile.