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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Francis Ngannou in talks to make boxing debut on influencer boxing card

Francis Ngannou is set to enter talks with KSI's manager over a fight on a Misfits Boxing card.

Ngannou reigned as UFC heavyweight champion and has been out of action since January last year while embroiled in contract talks with the promotion over a new deal. However after stating his ambitions to compete in the boxing ring, news broke that the Cameroon would be parting ways with his promoter and is now a free agent after vacating his title.

When breaking his silence following the announcement of his new move, Ngannou stated his intentions to now compete in the squared circle while calling out Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. However Misfits Boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland instead proposed that the star could touch gloves with Derek Chisora after his call-out.

"I'd love to sign him and I think he would fit perfectly into our crossover stuff including Misfits," Sauerland told Pro Boxing Fans at the press conference for Chris Eubank Jr v Liam Smith. "I think we could build him on there and bring over Derek Chisora, a big fight like that. There are several big fights out there for him, I believe that Mams [Taylor] is speaking to their people.

"I am sure that a lot of people are talking to their people but I think we could offer them something pretty unique to be honest. I'm not involved but my partner Mams is discussing a move with his people." Ngannou has already received a multitude of offers for a potential boxing clash i ncluding from bare-knuckle boxing promoter BKFC.

Chisora has already publicly stated his intention to meet Ngannou in a potential clash, confirming he would explore either clashes in the cage or in the ring in the future. The Cameroon star has already been heavily linked with a clash against WBC champion Tyson Fury since the pair agreed to a showdown last year on social media.

Francis Ngannou wants to make his debut in the boxing ring (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Would you like to see Francis Ngannou fight under Misfits Boxing? Let us know in the comments section below

Ngannou has stated his intention to cause an upset and dethrone the 'Gypsy King' but a fight was not previously possible to arrange while he was tied down to a UFC deal. Despite the 36-year-old now becoming a free agent, official talks remain unlikely at this stage with Fury set to meet Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight titles.

However fellow British heavyweight Dillian Whyte could instead look to beat Fury to a potential match-up, particularly given his background in MMA. He told Sky Sports : "I would love to fight him. Obviously he is a champion, a dangerous guy, but I think I would bash him up. It would be a very interesting fight, because we both have got a martial arts background.

"Fans around the world would be keen to see it, because he is a former UFC champion coming to face a top heavyweight like me. It would get lots of interest and eyeballs."

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