Francis Ngannou gives fans an update on his contract talks with Tyson Fury.
It has only been a few weeks since Francis Ngannou left the UFC, relinquished his heavyweight title, and set out to test free agency. Since his departure, he has expressed interest in making a move to boxing and has had a few names on his list. The biggest fight that looks to be made for Ngannou outside the UFC is a boxing match with one of the top heavyweights. Tyson Fury has expressed mutual interest and now that fight could be in the works.
Ngannou spent seven years fighting in the UFC. Over those years he has become one of the most popular fighters on the planet and worked his way up to the top of the biggest division. He is now using his star power to be his own man and has gotten out from under the UFC’s hold. Scoring a fight against Fury would be massive for him.
Francis Ngannou has a timeline set for a fight against Tyson Fury
Ngannou wants Fury first and it seems that Fury agrees. There are just a few details that need to be ironed out to make this fight a reality and Ngannou explain in an interview with TMZ Sports that talks are ongoing.
“I’ve talked to somebody, some of his advisors hopefully but they’re working on a fight with Usyk in 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 some time to get prepare for a boxing fight,” he said. “So I have no problem with that the timeline that I’m expecting, I hope will be sometime in June, July.”
One thing Ngannou wanted when trying to negotiate with the UFC was freedom. He wanted to be able to box whenever he wanted to but that was not an option while under a UFC contract. Now he can do what he wants and seems to have the opinions he was looking for. Not only does he have Fury in his sights, but he also wants Anthony Joshua as well.
“We’ve been talking about this fight in the past two years, little over two years. So I think at this point, the people are waiting for this fight and talking about this fight more than the Joshua fight. Although the Joshua fight was a massive fight I will say both fights will be in the same magnitude of a fight but we’re kind of advancing and willing a fight together with Tyson Fury,” he said. “Looks like that’s the way to go primarily then maybe Joshua will be another option.”
Ngannou is slated to make much more in the boxing world than he could have in the UFC. His coach recently detailed the offer made by the UFC which left Ngannou open to pay cuts if he lost. He was out for much more than money when negotiations began, he wanted more security, freedom, and benefits for all fighters, however, getting paid millions in boxing isn’t half bad in comparison.
