Ngannou Ready to Fight Usyk

Cameroonian heavyweight boxer and former UFC champion Francis Ngannou (0-2) has expressed interest in stepping into the ring with Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs), who holds the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBO titles. However, Ngannou has indicated that his primary targets remain Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) and Deontay Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs). He also stated that he would avoid a fight with Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, viewing him more as a brother than an opponent.

"There are many interesting boxers out there. Usyk? Why not. My list includes a rematch with Tyson Fury and then Deontay Wilder. As for Martin Bakole? No. I would pick that fight as a last option because I see him more as a brother. I would fight anyone else besides him. Plus, he's very dangerous," Ngannou said.

Francis Ngannou last fought in March, losing by knockout to British boxer Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs). In May, Usyk defeated Fury by split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Their rematch is set for December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In June, Deontay Wilder lost by technical knockout to Zhang Zhilei (27-2-1, 22 KOs), while Martin Bakole shocked American prospect Jared Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs) with a fifth-round knockout on August 3.