Malik Scott: Wilder Would Stop Ngannou
Malik Scott is adamant that Deontay Wilder will stop Francis Ngannou if they get into a boxing ring.
Reports indicate that a fight could take place next, as both men are looking for their next opponent. Wilder was meant to box Curtis Harper in April. That would have been his first fight since his defeat to Zhilei Zhang. He was knocked out by the Chinese heavyweight, which was his second consecutive defeat, leaving question marks over his future.
Meanwhile, Ngannou is looking to enter into the boxing ring as he chases his first victory. He has boxed twice in his career, facing off against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He put up a commendable performance against Fury, taking The Gypsy King to the final bell. But he lost a split decision. The fight could have gone his way after he had sent Fury to the canvas.
His performance against Joshua was far less impressive, as he was knocked out in the second round. Ngannou then went back to MMA, where he made his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira. He stopped Ferreira in the first round to become the PFL Heavyweight Champion. Now his eyes are on getting back into the boxing ring as a Wilder fight could take place. Malik felt that Joshua showed how to beat Ngannou. Scott was clear that if Wilder landed a similar shot, Ngannou would hit the canvas.
Scott Reacts
“If we get to go against him he is going to get to feel the wrath of Deontay Wilder because the closest thing he felt to it was AJ. But AJ and Wilder’s power are different. So if he thinks AJ can hit him with his best shot and hurt him, if Deontay Wilder hits him with his best shot, he goes to sleep- just like he did with Anthony Joshua.
“It’s something to get excited about because it’s Wilder and Ngannou. Especially them doing it in Africa, two African kings going at it and basically providing a better life – not that they don’t have a good life, but adding on to the life that they had – going against each other for the type of money that they will make. And doing it in Africa would be incredible. And if there’s one man that can get this done, it’s Turki Alalshikh,” Scott said
Wilder’s Legacy
Nevertheless, if Wilder were to take that fight, it shows that he no longer sees himself competing at the top level. He is the former WBC Heavyweight Champion who made 10 successful defenses of the title. But after the three Tyson Fury fights, he was no longer the same fighter. He has just secured one win in four fights since working with Scott.
Scott received a lot of criticism for trying to turn Wilder into a boxer, with many believing that Wilder dropped his natural attributes of athleticism and knockout power. Although Scott may come under scrutiny, the fact of the matter is that Wilder has to take ownership of his career. A fight against Ngannou would earn him a solid payday, but whether it takes him back to the top of the boxing ring is another matter.
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