Wilder Reveals All On Facing Ngannou – ‘Hopefully We Can Get Something'

Deontay Wilder opened up on the possibility of fighting Francis Ngannou. 

Speculation has been emerging that both could face each other in a mega-crossover event. 

Wilder has spoken previously about wanting to face the ex-UFC heavyweight champion in both formats. Meanwhile, Ngannou’s PFL deal includes an option to box in 2023. 

The immediate task at hand for Wilder appears to be a fight in the summer before a potential bout in Anthony Joshua emerges in Saudi Arabia.

While talks are ongoing with Andy Ruiz Jr. both sides appear at loggerheads over the financials. Wilder reportedly offered a 70-30 split, while Ruiz’s side were demanding 50-50. 

That resulted in both camps firing shots at each other, as things became very vocal in public.

"What happened is that Wilder is a liar. He and his trainer want Andy [Ruiz Jr] to accept a ridiculous amount of money. Andy is not a random name.

"Wilder wants to offer Andy around 30% [70-30 split]. The only thing we are asking is a 50-50 split, and we are ready to fight Wilder," Ruiz Sr.

“Andy’s gonna be 33 years old, f***ing broke, can’t support his children, because his daddy made decisions for him. Andy, what are we seeing from him? A short, fat fighter with small hands that make him look fast. That’s it," Wilder

 

If an agreement cannot be reached, or in the aftermath of a bout, Ngannou could still be a realistic possibility.

Deontay Wilder hoping to make Francis Ngannou fight ‘a reality’ — ‘He knows what the deal is’ https://t.co/lWVEU4bpBS pic.twitter.com/D88HcpnN1i

— MMA Mania (@mmamania) June 29, 2023

"He knows what the deal is. Francis you hit me, you know what’s up. But yeah, I was at the PFL to enjoy some fighting, to shake a couple of hands with a couple of people, and talk business as well. Francis is one of those names that definitely came up, and keeps coming up.”

"Hopefully we can get something on the schedule in the near future that we can present to the people and make this fight become a reality," Wilder 

In reality, the chances of the bout happening are very slim. Ngannou’s time to box is limited, given the midway point of 2023 has been reached. So for now, any such fight is still a long way away.

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