Francis Ngannou’s Visit to Parc des Princes
Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, made headlines this week with a noteworthy visit to the iconic Parc des Princes, the home of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His presence at the stadium captured the attention of both boxing and football enthusiasts, with PSG officially welcoming him by stating,
“A world champion visiting the European Champions. Welcome to the Parc des Princes, Francis Ngannou!”
This visit not only underscored Ngannou’s growing international fame but also reignited discussions around a potential showdown in the boxing ring with Deontay Wilder.
Wilder’s Manager Addresses Fight Speculations
Despite the excitement surrounding Ngannou’s aspirations, Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, provided clarity on the situation, suggesting that a match between the two will not occur in the near future. In an interview with World Boxing News, Finkel confirmed,
“Deontay won’t be fighting Ngannou this year… He wants a warm-up first before stepping into a big fight, and he would consider it in 2026.”
Finkel went on to indicate that Wilder’s priorities are directed towards high-profile matches against top-tier fighters like Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk, leaving Ngannou on the sidelines for now.
Ngannou’s Confidence and Future Aspirations
Ngannou has expressed unwavering confidence in his boxing capabilities, stating,
“Respect, but I’m ten toes down. No fear, no fold, no fake. Always ready, always solid. Step in the ring and you’ll see what that means.”
His words reflect a strong desire for action sooner rather than later, even as talks about his next opponent remain uncertain.
Looking Ahead
While Wilder appears to be gearing up for a fight in 2025, the lack of immediate developments regarding Ngannou’s bout continues to present a dilemma for fans eager to see these heavyweight titans square off. Both fighters are preparing themselves mentally and physically for the moment they meet in the ring, yet for the time being, their paths remain diverged. Wilder’s team seems open to negotiations when the right conditions are met, but for now, it seems Ngannou will have to wait a bit longer for his shot at the American powerhouse. The suspense surrounding a potential collision between these two heavyweights continues to build, leaving many eager for concrete announcements regarding their next moves.