Ngannou-Wilder boxing talks advance; no deal yet

Francis Ngannou says negotiations for a boxing match with Deontay Wilder are moving forward and that talks could begin soon, even as the parties work through the logistics of a cross-sport matchup. The former UFC heavyweight champion, now a PFL fighter and high-profile boxing contender, indicated he remains focused on boxing as his immediate path and that a Wilder bout is actively being explored, though no formal deal has yet been struck.

Ngannou’s public comments come after a notable run in boxing that included a dramatic knockdown of Tyson Fury in their October 2023 bout before losing by a split decision, and a February 2024 stoppage by Anthony Joshua. Since then he returned to MMA with a first-round title-winning performance for PFL in October, while signaling his intentions to revisit boxing in a high-profile fight. In a recent appearance on a leading boxing-and-mports program, Ngannou noted that while he “would say so” that a Wilder clash is a priority, there is not yet an official opening to proceed; “We havent engaged personally, but its gonna be soon. We are setting some things up. I keep training.”

Behind Ngannou’s push for a Wilder fight is a broader context: for...