Deontay Wilder Eyes Francis Ngannou as His Only Real Comeback Option

Deontay Wilder, who has only one victory in five years, is facing a harsh reality in his quest for a comeback. The former WBC heavyweight champion has struggled to secure a suitable opponent after back-to-back defeats to Tyson Fury, and his hopes of landing a fight with Anthony Joshua were dashed by losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. Wilder now finds himself with few lucrative options in the sport.

The most promising prospect for Wilder appears to be a fight with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who recently returned to the win column in MMA. Wilder confirmed in a recent interview with TMZ that Ngannou is part of his comeback plans, calling it a "conversation" that could lead to a big-money deal. Wilder acknowledged the competitive nature of such a bout, noting that "any fight is competitive if you have a man with two hands and two feet who has a heart and a will to win."

Wilder’s path forward in boxing seems limited. Without Ngannou, he may have to face lesser opponents, often referred to as "cannon fodder," in order to keep his career alive. On the other hand, fighting Ngannou, even in a non-title exhibition, could provide Wilder with a chance to reignite his career and, depending on the outcome, potentially secure a future showdown with the likes of Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua.

For Ngannou, a fight with Wilder would be a significant payday but wouldn’t diminish his status in MMA. Wilder’s future in the sport seems increasingly tied to this potential clash, with both fighters set to benefit financially from such an event.

Speaking with empathy, Wilder also took a moment to express condolences to Ngannou regarding the tragic loss of his son, Kobe, showing a personal connection between the two athletes despite their potential rivalry.

Source: World Boxing News