Video: Deontay Wilder open to Francis Ngannou boxing match after injury rehab | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Deontay Wilder is ready to discuss a planned fight with Francis Ngannou after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Wilder told TMZ Sports that it’s a “conversation that I’m still trying to get involved in and talk about,” adding that “in general, there have been a lot of offers coming in.”

A battle between “The Bronze Bomber” and Ngannou has been raging for more than a year. Wilder floated the idea of ​​a two-fight deal in February 2023 so their paths could cross under boxing and MMA rules.

After Wilder lost to Joseph Parker last December, Ngannou made it clear that he still wanted the former WBC heavyweight champion:

He recently told talkSPORT’s Lewis Thompson in August that he would “love that fight.”

“It’s a fight I want, I’ve always wanted this fight,” Ngannou said. “At one point we had a discussion that didn’t go too far, but we wanted this fight to happen.”

The PFL star stated that he only wants to box against Wilder because “that’s where we both have a chance.”

In terms of box office potential, this matchup probably isn’t what it would have been a year or two ago.

Wilder has lost four of his last five fights, most recently suffering a fifth-round TKO at the hands of Zhilei Zhang. Ngannou lost in the second round to Anthony Joshua last March, and it doesn’t look like that was as big a moneymaker as his fight against Tyson Fury in 2023.

Still, both fighters remain household names in combat sports and have a lot to gain from headlining a major card.