Joshua Not Interested in Fighting Ngannou, Focuses on Wilder Bout Instead

Byron Pillay

updated at May 19, 2023 at 8:10 AM

Anthony Joshua is in talks to fight Deontay Wilder later this year in the Middle East
Francis Ngannou wants to have one big boxing match before he makes his debut for PFL
Ngannou was released by the UFC and had been pushing for a boxing match ever since

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Anthony Joshua isn’t interested in fighting Francis Ngannou anytime soon.

The former UFC Heavyweight champion has been looking for a high-profile boxing match since his release from the MMA world but has yet to find an opponent.

Anthony Joshua, Boxing, World, Francis Ngannou, Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, MMA — Anthony Joshua has set his sights on a fight with Deontay Wilder and won't be sidetracked by a fight against Francis Ngannou. Image: Julian Finney
Source: Getty Images

Ngannou expressed an interest in fighting Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury or Joshua, but the trio could be involved in something bigger.

As reported by The Mirror, talks are underway to have Fury fight Oleksandr Usyk, and Wilder fight Joshua, on the same night in the Middle East.

While Ngannou has signed a deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), he wants to have one big boxing match before his debut next year.

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Joshua focuses on Wilder

Joshua’s manager, Eddie Hearn, recently discussed the idea of the British boxer taking on the Cameroonian fighter, explaining that Joshua had his focus elsewhere, MMA Mania reported.

“I spoke to AJ about the fight. He likes it, and he gets it, but he’s very focused on his boxing career at the moment. And he doesn’t want to derail that to do something a little bit gimmicky,” he said.

“Even though it is dangerous, he wants to prepare for Deontay Wilder, and I think he doesn’t feel that Ngannou would prepare him for Deontay Wilder,” Hearn continued.

With the big four in talks to take each other on, Ngannou will have to look elsewhere for a worthy opponent to make his boxing debut against. Hearne believes that Ngannou is a big enough name to land a fight in the not-too-distant future.