Why a Francis Ngannou vs Deontay Wilder heavyweight boxing fight makes sense

What makes heavyweight boxing appeal to the casual sports fan?

It’s not the slick footwork, the shot selection or chaos pre-fight. It’s the excitement that a knockout blow could come at any point.

Deontay Wilder made a name for himself with his concussive knockout punches which frequently caught everyone, including the most devoted of boxing analysts, by surprise.

But since a second successive loss to Tyson Fury in one of this millennium’s greatest heavyweight fights four years ago, the ‘Bronze Bomber’ has been a shell of his former self.

Once the most feared contender in his division, a first round knockout win over Robert Helenius in October 2022 gave false hope to boxing fans that Wilder was back.

Since then however, lacklustre losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang in 2023 and 2024 respectively have left Wilder at a crossroads.

As Zhang’s final right hand clattered Wilder in the fifth round of their contest, it was a sorry sight. What was one of boxing’s most exciting fighters now lay flat on his back with little life in his eyes, staring listlessly at the roof of Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena.

This ending many saw as a signal for Wilder to retire, but nine months on, there is still no word as to whether the ‘Bronze Bomber’s’ boxing career has been diffused.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is at the same crossroads as Wilder when it comes to his boxing career despite having just two professional bouts to his name.

Ngannou gave a good account of himself in his boxing in October 2023. Pushing Tyson Fury all the way for 10 rounds, a knockdown in round three was unfortunately not enough for Ngannou to get that first win and send shockwaves through the boxing world.

Then came Anthony Joshua the following March, and for Ngannou, it was a night to forget. A second-round knockout loss brought a screeching halt to Ngannou’s boxing career with some questioning whether boxing really is the right sport for him.

Since that loss, Ngannou has returned to MMA, beating Renan Ferreira last October in his PFL debut, but boxing is still very much on the agenda for the Cameroonian with PFL founder Donn Davis expecting one boxing and one MMA fight from Ngannou in 2025.

When it comes to who would be a natural dance partner for Ngannou, Wilder seems like a perfect fit.

Not only are both men still huge names within the combat sports world, but they also have that knockout power which captures the imagination of the casual sports fan.

It is unlikely to be the most technical boxing contest, Ngannou and Wilder are two men who rely on power, so fans can expect to see both fighters looking to march each other down and land that big knockout punch to claim victory.

While this may be a fight which could provoke a mixed reaction from boxing fans, it is definitely one which Wilder’s coach, Malik Scott is interested in and the American is also quick to doubt the former UFC heavyweight champion’s power inside the squared circle.

“I haven't seen Ngannou work enough with 10 ounce gloves on in a boxing ring. Is he a big, strong, heavy-handed guy? Yes. But with Deontay, Deontay’s power is blessed because he gets to the target so fast,” Scott told SpaceportSweden.com.

“He puts his hip through you, he puts his shoulder through. It's just so many different dynamics with the way Deontay has always knocked guys out.

“He has a long resume of knocking guys out cold. That didn't happen overnight. I haven't seen Francis Ngannou enough in a boxing ring to think his power comes close to Deontay Wilder's. I just haven't.”

Despite there being no world titles on the line, an Ngannou vs Wilder is still a contest of a significant magnitude and likely one which will require a major purse.

If there is one man to make it happen, it is His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season who are major player in boxing. If Alalshikh shows an interest in this particular contest, then Scott believes that it could become a reality sooner rather than later, and teased that the fight could even take place in Africa.

“What Turki has done with boxing has been crazy.

"Think of a match that you could think of and you'd be like ‘Wow, I would love to see them fight’. It's either that fight is getting made or it's cooking and about to get made

“If Turki’s saying he wants Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou in Africa and both of them want to do it, then the fight is going to happen.”

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Ngannou and Wilder, two men at pivotal moments in their boxing careers. A fight between the two would be a classic slugfest between giants with each thudding punch sending waves around the world.

Sometimes titles are not needed for a major contest. Instead, it is just pride that is enough to fuel the fire in each boxer, and for a fight between Ngannou and Wilder, their respective futures and pride in boxing will be enough for what could be a memorable heavyweight showdown.

Ngannou vs Wilder - What has been said?

Since beating Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut last year, Ngannou has been radio silent when it comes to his next move in the world of combat sports. 

However, on Monday night in an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Ngannou teased a return to the boxing ring against Wilder seems to be slowly edging towards becoming a reality.

"We haven’t engaged personally, but it’s going to be soon," Ngannou responded when asked whether talks were underway.

"We are setting some things up, but I’m training."

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