Francis Ngannou is not interested in fighting Anthony Joshua in December, preferring instead to wait for a rematch with Tyson Fury.
MMA star Ngannou stunned the world of boxing by knocking down WBC heavyweight champion Fury in their ‘Battle of the Baddest’ showdown in Saudi Arabia last month.
Fury came back to win their 10-round contest on a hugely-controversial split decision, immediately prompting talk of a second bout.
Prior to that possibility, Fury was supposed to be taking on Oleksandr Usyk on December 23, a fight that is now likely to be rearranged for February due to the damage the Brit sustained against Ngannou.
The Cameroonian told TMZ Sports: “I would be willing to wait [for Fury to fight Usyk].
“I know they are going to fight, they had a contract already, so they are going to fight sometime in February instead of December 23, which is my fault. I shouldn’t have cut him! He would’ve fought December 23, and maybe we would’ve run it back early next year.”
With the likelihood of Ngannou-Fury MKII now off the cards until later in 2024, promoter Eddie Hearn floated the idea of Ngannou capitalising on his new-found boxing fame by taking on Joshua between Christmas and the new year.
It’s not an idea that appeals to Ngannou, though. He added: “First of all, it’s too soon. Secondly, my focus, as boxing is concerned, is a rematch with Tyson. That’s the most important thing for me right now, everything else for boxing comes after.”
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