Deontay Wilder Calls Out Francis Ngannou to Settle ‘Hardest Hitter’ Debate Inside Boxing Ring

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou gets a callout from Deontay Wilder for a mega fight in Africa.

Deontay Wilder Calls Out Francis Ngannou to Settle ‘Hardest Hitter’ Debate Inside Boxing Ring

Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder for the ‘hardest hitter’ title (via X)

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Boxing has long attracted MMA stars seeking massive paydays, testing skills against legendary pugilists in crossover spectacle combat sports events. Conor McGregor famously fought undefeated Floyd Mayweather, delivering a surprisingly competitive performance that captivated fans and generated record-breaking pay-per-view numbers.

Recently, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou followed this path, sharing rings with modern boxing greats. Ngannou is renowned for incredible punching power, showcased throughout his UFC reign, earning global recognition as a devastating heavyweight striker.

To settle debates about being the planet’s hardest hitter, Ngannou recently issued a bold challenge to boxing star Deontay Wilder. The former WBC heavyweight champion wasted no time accepting and confirming interest during a recent interview with Ariel Helwani. 

Francis, let’s get it on baby. If you serious about what you saying, I’m serious about what I’m saying. Let’s get it on, once and for all. Your power versus my power. If you’re down, I’m down. We can go to the motherland too, Africa. 

Deontay Wilder via The Ariel Helwani Show 

Wilder’s last boxing bout occurred two months ago, where he defeated Tyrrell Anthony Herndon via TKO, showcasing his returning form. The win allowed the ‘Bronze Bomber’ to rebound from a difficult two-fight losing streak that had derailed earlier momentum. Once ruling heavyweight boxing for years, Wilder’s dominance declined after suffering consecutive losses against Tyson Fury in championship bouts.

Despite setbacks, Wilder’s incredible punching power remains infamous, capable of ending fights instantly with a single perfectly-timed, devastating shot. Wilder has 43 knockouts in 49 professional fights, boasting over 88 percent career knockout finishing rate among elite heavyweights. At the age of 39, the boxer understands he has only a few more fights in his tank before retirement.

A crossover fight between Ngannou and Wilder could be lucrative given “The Predator’s” fan appeal, yet pay-per-view results remain questionable. In the last, Ngannou vs. Fury generated roughly over 400,000 global PPV buys, which was terrible. 

His bout with Anthony Joshua underperformed even more, with just 4,600 American TV PPV buys, signaling weaker mainstream appeal. It remains uncertain how a Wilder matchup might perform, but given the pattern, PPV sales could again disappoint despite hype.

Ngannou departed UFC following a contractual dispute with its top brass, seeking better opportunities beyond the organization’s rigid control. The PFL offered a lucrative deal granting Ngannou freedom to pursue boxing while ensuring competitive fights in mixed martial arts. He later returned to MMA, defeating Renan Ferreira to capture the PFL heavyweight championship and reclaim his dominant status.

Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder; old rival picks harder hitter 

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder share one of modern boxing’s greatest rivalries, marked by dramatic shifts and unforgettable knockdowns. Across their trilogy, Wilder floored Fury multiple times, but the Brit ultimately won two of the three matches through will and technique. The Brit also faced Francis Ngannou in an exhibition-style “Battle of the Baddest”, where Ngannou scored a knockdown in round three. 

Francis Ngannou knocking down Tyson Fury
Francis Ngannou knocking down Tyson Fury (via X)

The fight ended in a controversial split decision in favor of Fury, highlighting Ngannou’s raw power and boxing potential. These events positioned Fury as an ideal figure to compare punching power between boxing’s hard hitters. In an interview, Fury addressed this directly, underscoring the contrast between Wilder’s and Ngannou’s power styles. 

Deontey! By far. Francis Ngannou is a big puncher but I wasn’t really troubled by any of his punches. It wasn’t like he was dynamite and everytime he hit I wobbled or anything. So, Wilder is still the biggest puncher I have ever been by a mile. 

Tyson Fury via an interview 

Fury has since declined following consecutive title losses to Oleksandr Usyk, losing his once-dominant heavyweight status in boxing’s hierarchy. He recently exchanged words with Ngannou, who reminded Fury that in a real fight, MMA rules would favor him. Meanwhile, Ngannou’s fallout with PFL over Africa availability raises questions about managing a potential lucrative fight against Deontay Wilder.

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