Francis Ngannou plans on fighting Deontay Wilder ‘soon’ as we explore how a boxing fight would play out.
Ngannou has already stepped into the boxing ring twice. He lost a controversial decision to Tyson Fury in October 2023, with some feeling he had done enough to win after having dropped Fury. He was then knocked out by Anthony Joshua in March 2024. Despite his recent boxing losses, a bout with Wilder has been a long time coming. Wilder has expressed a strong desire for the fight, previously suggesting two bouts, with one boxing match and one MMA fight. Ngannou, who recently got back to his winning ways in the cage by defeating Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut last October, says the two camps are currently working out the details.
“Yes, I [am pursuing it]. We haven’t engaged personally, but it’s gonna be soon. We’re setting some things up, but I keep training. I’m training. I would say [it’s my preferred fight in boxing and in MMA],” Ngannou said
A boxing match between Ngannou and Wilder would be a clash of two of the most devastating punchers. Ngannou’s goal will be to apply pressure and get inside Wilder’s long reach. In his fights against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou showed a surprisingly patient style, using feints and a solid jab to set up his power shots. He would need to do the same against Wilder.
He might target Wilder’s body early to slow him down and bring his hands lower, creating an opening for a headshot. Ngannou’s biggest asset is his raw power, and his tactical plan would be to leverage that with sh ort, explosive bursts. He will have to be extremely disciplined and not rush in, as that would leave him open to Wilder’s counters.
Wilder’s strategy is far more reliant on his one-punch knockout power. He will likely use his reach and jab to keep Ngannou at a distance. Wilder’s footwork, while often criticized, is centered on creating angles to land that one big shot. He might wait for Ngannou to overcommit to a jab and then throw a looping right hand over the top. This is a fight where a single punch from either man could end the fight.
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