By Matt Lieberman: Eddie Hearn says he hears that a massive fight between former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and two-time world title challenger Derek Chisora is the possible third fight on the Skills Challenge card in December in Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou would be making his debut inside of a boxing ring against the still dangerous big punching Chisora (33-13, 30 KOs) on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder.
The second fight that is supposed to be on the card is Tyson Fury vs. Oleksnder Usyk, but Heaarn is skeptical about that match-up happening. WBC heavyweight champion Fury could price himself out, and he’ll be off the card.
Chisora is coming off a tenth round knockout loss to Fury last December in London. At 39, Chisora is a little old, but he’s still a professional with tons of experience, and he knows how to ride with a punch when he’s fresh. He could wear Ngannou out and stop him.
Hearn says he spoke to Anthony Joshua about fighting Ngannou, and he was NOT interested in that fight at all. He says Joshua is more focused on his legacy.
He would be going in the opposite direction if he started taking those types of fights. Those are exhibition/celebrity-level types of fights that guys like Floyd Mayweaathr Jr have turned to after he retired.
“There are talks of him getting Chisora. I spoke to Anthony [Joshua] about the fight, and at the stage in his boxing career, he’s chasing greatness,” said Eddie Hearn to Ariel Helwani’s Youtube channel.
“There are rumors for a third fight that night in December, which could be Ngannou against Chisora. I think that’s what they [the Saudis] want,” said Hearn when asked if there’s a chance for three heavyweight fights on the December card in Saudi Arabia, and Chisora vs. Ngannou would be one of them.
I actually quite like that fight because I don’t see Francis being competitive against Fury or AJ but more competitive against Chisora.
“I just feel like what Francis wants to do is land a massive payday. The only difference in the heavyweight world is Francis can really punch. If he lands one on Fury, if he lands one on AJ, or lands one on Chisora, he can win the fight.
“You need a site fee for a fight like that. I don’t know what Francis wants, but you’re talking about tens of millions of dollars for those fights, and it may just not be there.
“He wants to beat Wilder, and he wants to fight [Tyson] Fury for the world title. When I brought up the Ngannou fight, he was like [frowning], and he’s just not interested because he has business to take care of in the sport.
“Fury would fight Ngannou, but the only place where you could generate the kind of money that both of those fighters perceive it’s worth is in the Middle East, and once the Middle East says no, the market is dead for that fight. They must have [said no] because I’m sure it’s been discussed & pitched,” said Hearn.
