The Gypsy King has proposed a big-money, crossover super-fight (Pictures: Getty)
Francis Ngannou says he is ready to sign a deal to fight Tyson Fury, though suggested the WBC champion’s latest proposal is yet more of the same bluster.
The Gypsy King has repeatedly called out the former UFC heavyweight champion over the past two years and earlier this month suggested he could take on Ngannou in a crossover super-fight.
‘Francis Ngannou, I know you’re out of contract with the UFC. You want to earn some big boy money? Come see the Gypsy King and let’s do a big, big fight for the baddest MF on the planet,’ Fury told SecondsOut last week.
‘Let’s kick it up spicy, in a cage, four-ounce gloves under Queensbury [rules] and let’s have a badass referee like ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. Did I just sell that to the world?’
Ngannou is ready to accept those terms and feels a fight with Fury is a genuine possibility, though did acknowledge that the British boxer – who is in talks over a unification fight against Oleksandr Usyk – has a habit of saying things for show.
Asked about Fury’s latest offer, Ngannou told Canal+ Afrique: ‘The next step could be that but, once again, everything has to be finalised.
‘Let me remind you that Tyson Fury and I have been warming up on social media for more than two years.
Fury is in talks to fight Usyk next, but Ngannou could follow after (Picture: Getty)
‘Obviously we all need this fight. It’s been long enough. Hopefully we have the possibility of dotting the i’s.’
Fury’s current focus is on securing an undisputed showdown with WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Usyk, with talks over a bout in Saudi Arabia having taken place for some time.
However, promoter Bob Arum claims the contest could still take place in England at Wembley, with the location yet to be decided, but both fighters are keen to go head-to-head as soon as possible.
‘I think both of the fighters have agreed to the fight, I think the question is where the site will be,’ Arum told Sky Sports. ‘That will be sorted out hopefully next week and we’ll have an announcement shortly.
‘If the fight goes to the Middle East it will be sometime after Ramadan and if the fight is in the UK it will be the beginning of April.
‘It depends what the deals are and so forth. There are a number of us that would prefer the fight to be in Wembley, but again it depends on the money.’
MORE : Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk winner depends on ‘who cheats the hardest’, says Deontay Wilder
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The Gypsy King has proposed a big-money, crossover super-fight.