UFC’s Francis Ngannou talks up showdowns with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou believes he has the ability to hang with his counterparts in boxing. Ever since Conor McGregor entered the boxing world in 2017 for his multi-million-pound showdown with Floyd Mayweather, several of the UFC’s top stars have flirted with the possibility of entering the squared circle.

Light-Heavyweight and heavyweight champions Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic have openly discussed the possibility of entering the boxing ring.

McGregor’s successor at the summit of the lightweight division Khabib Nurmagomedov has also expressed an interest in trying his hand at the sweet science, teasing a showdown with Mayweather.

Ngannou himself has also talked up the prospect of switching codes and trying to make his way up the heavyweight ranks.

And in an interview with BJPenn.com, the ferocious knockout artist doubled down on his eagerness to make a splash in the boxing world.

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want to make a statement in the boxing world because that was my first love, that was my first dream

Franics Ngannou

“I want to cross over,” Ngannou said. “I want to make a statement in the boxing world because that was my first love, that was my first dream.

“Before MMA came around, I was all about boxing.

“At some point in my life, I have to do whatever I like, whatever I love to do, to check all those boxes in my life timeline to do things.”

The prospect of sharing the ring with Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder was also put to Ngannou, who is the most-feared puncher on the UFC roster.

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And ‘The Predator’ was confident he’d fair well against the trio.

“Honestly I think, obviously with good preparation I can match up with any of those guys,” Ngannou said.

“But once again, I’m not just going there for one shot, so I’m probably going to have multiple fights that will give me more opportunity to match up with many of those guys, if it’s not all of them.  I’m really willing to do that.”

Newly-crowned WBC heavyweight champion Fury vowed to take out Ngannou after the Cameroonian claimed Mike Tyson had agreed to train him for his boxing debut, tweeting: “I’ll deal with you and all the other MMA heavyweights when I’m done with my boxing fights, it won’t be long to wait!

“Then I’ll show u how we roll.”

Ngannou, 33, was scheduled to be in action next weekend at UFC 249, which was slated to take place at the Tachi Palace Casino and Resort in California.

 The card, however, was cancelled on Thursday night after the UFC’s broadcasters – ESPN and Disney – told president Dana White to “stand down” due to the coronavirus outbreak.

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