Francis Ngannou knows what he wants next … telling TMZ Sports the clear choice is a rematch with Tyson Fury!
We talked to 37-year-old Ngannou on Tuesday … just days after his incredibly impressive performance against 35-year-old Fury, and asked one of the most coveted athletes in all combat sports who and/or what he wants now that the world’s at his fingertips.
“The rematch is what I want next the most,” Ngannou told us. “As for right now I feel like there is a lot of options for me, but I want to choose wisely, and I would go for the rematch first.”
Before Tyson and Francis ever threw a punch at each other, Fury already had his next fight booked vs. Oleksandr Usyk. Ngannou thinks he and Fury should settle their business (the rematch) before the boxing champs scrap.
“My best scenario in boxing is to wait for Fury. If Usyk can step out and let me fight Fury, I’ll fight Fury, then I’ll let them do whatever they do. I’ll go back, maybe do some MMA fight and come back with some people in boxing,” Francis said.
“I’m planning to fight potentially twice next year, [starting] maybe February or March.”
Of course, despite losing by a split decision on the judge’s scorecards, many fans believe Francis beat Tyson … so, we asked The Predator if he plans on appealing the decision.
“Who am I gonna appeal to? [The British Boxing Commission]? I have no chance. I think that’s just another way of humiliation.”
Note: The WBC has indicated that Ngannou will be added to the world ratings, so if Ngannou does get a rematch with Fury, the world title will be on the line. Both Fury and Usyk have rematch clauses, so this may take some time to sort out.
Usyk vs Fury should happen next. Ngannou should not be rude to Usyk. Fury vs Ngannou was a exhibition, by the way. Rematch of a exhibition can wait. Do an exhibition against someone else. Is Ngannou thinking he can get a rematch for the actual titles? That would be scandalous.
ETK19, I don’t recon Ngannou cares about the titles, just like he did not care about it in this fight, he just wanted to beat Fury and wants to do so in a rematch (and get paid well again of course). Exhibition? This fight looked nothing like an exhibition, it looked like a normal 10 round boxing match?
It was an exhibition. Ngannou did not earn any right to fight the champion. Ngannou was gifted an opportunity to earn income and do the exhibition. Otherwise Ngannou should have started his boxing career at the beginning, just like all the other professional boxers who worked hard for their opportunities. Fury would have remained champion, even if Ngannou KO’d him.
Truth!
— 10 rd boxing match sanctioned by the Saudis and BBBc with the WBC putting up the Riyadh Belt.
BoxRec fight here where you can check their records where Francis Hard Knockdown of Fury is recorded as well as top viewing on youtube…
Asking for a rematch is not being rude to Usyk. Fury vs Ngannou was a real match except Fury didnt have his usual 40lbs+ weight advantage.
Would it be rude for Ngannou to take your income?
ETK19, the fight was a non-title bout. It was originally an exhibition fight, but was then changed to an official professional and sanctioned fight by the BBBofC, where the results also were added the boxers official professional records.
Ngannous first comment after fight was he felt it was close and seemed to agree at the time of the decision. Now he’s being media manipulated coz there’s money to be made, more than he can ever hope for in MMA or UFC
He’s learned how to play the game. I would keep the inner circle as small as possible so the pie won’t be divided any more than it already is AND I would especially keep the usual bloodsuckers out of the event.
Fury has painted himself into a corner. He would not want a rematch with Ngannou (who can only improve in boxing skills after actually boxing and going 10 rounds) and now has no further excuses in avoiding Usyk. And taking on another Whyte or Chisora type opponent won’t cut it.
Francis’ dreams are coming true. He is now rated by the WBC and some feel as though he beat the HW champ of the world. At 37, he’s playing chess and not checkers. As his combat career winds down, smart move in trying to make as much noise in boxing (where the money is) as possible. I disagree with the immediate rematch. Perhaps he will have to wait until Fury vs Usyk 1 & 2 are out of the way. In the meantime, I’d love to see him take on Deontae Wilder in a battle of the strongest punch.
Wilder by KO
What makes it interesting is Wilder has been stunned by guys with far less power than Francis. His power is great but his chin is suspect. Most boxers who have sparred or fought MMA fighters agree, it’s an awkward experience. I think it’s 50/50 because Wilder doesn’t have an advantage in technique (looks sharper in training but performs as usual in his fights), both have out-of-this-world power, and relish in going for the kill. Such a fight would be equivalent to a HW version of Carlos Zarate vs Wilfredo Gomez. Meaning too much power to not end in a knockout.
Have him fight Deontay Wilder first as he doesn’t have a dance partner as of now? Wilder will knock dude into oblivion in 1 round!!
He’s likely the only fighter willing to get in the ring with Wilder.
Chisora vs Ngannou Zimbabwe vs Cameroon
I believe Gerrie Coetzee was Africa’s first world heavyweight champion. Wonder who the next one will be?
Fury usyk first:don’t mess that fight up you can wait
Naaaaaaa he want the rematch ??? Or he want more money????
The circus still going on
Fury needs to redeem himself. he did NOT look like a top 20 hvwt. so because Fury was so disappointingly terrible, i dont care…
but i am interested to see Ngannou move on and fight AJ, Wilder, etc…
Anybody that thinks Ngannou would do better in a rematch with Fury is delusional, Fury took him lightly as he prepared for a freak show exhibition for the sake of $$$$$$$$ and cheap entertainment for the fans of MMA and boxing. Enough with the freak show exhibitions and fighting B-grade contenders lets finally see Usyk-Fury. If Ngannou wants a big name fight then fight Ruiz or Wilder or Zhang or Joshua next.
It was not an exhibition. Fury got he what he deserved and at heavyweight anything can happen if a punch lands. There was no robbery but now Fury will have to give Ngannou a rematch if he can beat Usyk. Fury recently mouthed-off saying he wanted to fight another 10 years. Well, 2024 will be against Usyk (2 fights since they have a rematch clause) then Ngannou in 2025. Fury is a fool for making the money-grab-fight against Ngannou in the first place and then taking him too lightly in second place. I hope Usyk wins and shuts him up.
Fury will never fight him again. He may even decide to avoid Usyk now.
There are about 20 heavyweight that would have beaten fury..he looked terrible n had nothing to do with Ngannou..
So the guy has ONE professional boxing match and does fairly well against an extremely unmotivated Fury and he thinks he can call the shots now??? Get lost. Like everyone else said, fight Wilder or AJ. (Neither of which will risk their reputation by getting knocked out by Ngannou, especially AJ who would be blasted out in less than five rounds). Also, what an absolute JOKE and slap to the face that after one fight he’s ranked by WBC yet David Benevidez is not.
This
Berserker, Benavidez isn’t ranked because they don’t want him to fight canelo. And if I’m Benavidez, I would give two squirts if the WBC wants to rank me or not. One way for those people to go away is stop paying their sanctioning fees.
Works for me but only after Fury and Usyk settle their businesses.
Heavyweight boxing is not the same these days; not enough excitement. The fact that novice Ngounno is potentially calling shots is a serious knock on the credibility of the game. Additionally: do y’all really think Fury vs Usyk is gonna remotely resemble: Louis/Schmeling, Marciano/Walcott, Ali/Frazier, Foreman/Lyle, Tyson/Berbick, Lewis/Klitschko, Holyfield/Bowe, Mercer/Morrison, Tua/Ibeabuchi, to name just a few? Zhang vs either champ would be a better fight IMO.
I think Fury and Usyk should get their business done. They are both coming off of fights that raised some questions about them. It has been too long already..it is time. I would like to see Ngannou fight Joshua. I do not think Joshua should fight Wilder if he can get Ngannou. I know it is risky but the guy still only has one fight. Joshua also has an advantage Fury did not have…the element of surprise is over. He knows what he has to deal with in Ngannou. I think it is good for Ngannou too. Joshua has shown vulnerabilities and maybe Ngannou can win. Since I am making all these decisons..lol…Wilder can fight Zhang.
And he should want a rematch, because he won’t make that kind of money in the UFC for 2 loses, for jumping in the line for shots.
Brian T, he’s not in the UFC. I don’t think he’s ever going to be welcomed back.
Free money of course
Ngannu did great against fury but, lets not forget that there are other heavyweights who have sacrifice and work hard to get ranked and earn a tittle shot! Ngannu needs to earn a title shot by going against the rank fighters! He should fight and beat either joshua, ruiz and wilder to top the rankings list prior to a tittle shot! Wilder already had 3 shots with fury so, ngannu vs wilder should be an interesting one!
Fury will stay away from Ngannou for the rest of his living days. The ink on the contract with Usyk dried long before he had decided to take a easy Walk-in-the-park against Ngannou. Even if Usyk was willing to take step-a-side $$$ Fury wouldn’t want another fight with a guy who cut & decked him.
Fight on the Undercard of the Fury-Usyk match if you’re serious bro
Happy Friday everyone!!! We made it another week and life is beautiful.
This could get interesting for Nganou. Of course like with everyone else, I’d like for him to get at least a few decent checks in boxing because he deserves it just for stepping in the ring and being able to hang for 10roumds on his first go. However, we have business to settle with the belt situation. Usyk and Fury needs to happen first.
Should Fury lose, it won’t be by knockout so a rematch with Nganounwill still be lucrative. A fight with Usyk would not go well for Francis. Different style at a different speed, with tooany open gaps for Usyk to cruise to victory. BUT, there’s the proverbial punchers chance to keep it interesting.
Fury was perfect for Francis. Big, clumsy, not a one punch knockout puncher. If Francis was to fight Usyk he’d be outboxed easily and maybe even stopped due to exhaustion. Wilder would KO Francis easily. Love or hate wilder he can take a punch and definitely give one.
Anywhere there’s a potential for money, the WBC will be there. Like cockroaches.
If anyone deserves a rematch against Tyson Fury, it’s Otto Wallin, who left Fury a bloody mess. I would love to see a rematch between the Irish Traveler and the Swede.
lol Ngannou is in NO position to be asking for a rematch matter of fact he should be thrown to the back of the line and let him earn his way to the top just like all the aspiring pro fighters that train their asses off to get a shot im tired of all this skip the line BS
If Fury vs Usyk does not happen next, Fury should be stripped of his belt.
Fury-Usyk should happen next but in 1 fight Ngannau not only earned respect but boxings’ public appeal.
Fury is quiet,,,,very in Fury like!
Un Fury like!
Almost 40 and planning to fight twice next year. He will only fight once and lose if it’s a quality opponent.Good fighters fight 6 times a year and clean up the division.who can he beat? Ruiz and usyk are too fast and the rest are too strong.