Ngannou's Team Mute on Hearn's Joshua Fight Offer

Eddie Hearn, the renowned promoter of former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, expressed keen interest in orchestrating a showdown with MMA veteran Francis Ngannou.

Ngannou sent shockwaves through the combat sports world back in October when he nearly dethroned WBC world champion Tyson Fury in a non-title boxing match, marking his professional debut in the ring. The former UFC champion's performance exceeded expectations as he dropped Fury in the third round and posed a significant challenge throughout the bout. Despite the valiant effort, Fury ultimately secured a narrow ten-round split decision victory.

Following the spectacle, Hearn extended an olive branch to Ngannou's team, expressing his enthusiasm for discussions surrounding a potential bout with Anthony Joshua. However, the British promoter revealed that he received no response, leading him to believe that Ngannou might be holding out for a rematch with Fury, pending the green light.

Fury, currently on a collision course with WBO, IBF, IBO, and WBA world champion Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed bout scheduled for February 17, appears to be the focal point of Ngannou's immediate boxing future. Hearn shared insights during an interview with The MMA Hour, stating,

"I reached out to Francis Ngannou’s team, and I said, ‘Just to let you know, we’re up for discussing the Francis Ngannou [vs.] AJ fight. I never heard back from them. So I think probably, knowing the business, I would say that probably Fury-Ngannou is almost probably agreed to post Fury-Usyk already."

Predicting Ngannou's trajectory, Hearn speculated that the MMA sensation might opt for a lucrative bout in the spring or summer of 2024, potentially within the confines of the PFL. Subsequently, he anticipates Ngannou's much-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury towards the end of 2024, with the mindset that such marquee matchups will be instrumental in propelling Ngannou's career to new heights.