Deontay Wilder has complimented Francis Ngannou's punching power but still thinks he is the hardest puncher in combat sports.
Former heavyweight champion Wilder is currently preparing to fight Joseph Parker on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia. Ngannou has been linked to a fight against 'The Bronze Bomber' after controversially losing his boxing debut against Wilder's old rival Tyson Fury.
Ngannou left boxing fans around the world speechless when he dropped Fury as the Brit won by just a single point in a heavily scrutinised split decision. The former UFC champion has the hardest punch ever recorded but Wilder has backed himself as the biggest hitter in the ring.
Watch all of the biggest upcoming fights live on DAZN, with some of the best sporting action available as part of your subscription as well as on pay-per-view. You can also follow all of the best action from fights around the world broadcast weekly as part of the package.
Do you want to see Deontay Wilder fight Francis Ngannou? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
“I’m happy for Ngannou but the thing is, women lie, men lie but numbers don’t lie. I’ve been doing it for a very long time, and every man I’ve faced I’ve been knocking out and putting them on the canvas. I don’t think that’s the same for him, he's got power and he can punch" Wilder told The Last Stand podcast.
"We can give him that but when it comes to the hardest puncher in all of combat sports, you're hearing the voice and you're looking at the man that holds that title and that's facts. When guys fight me, they automatically think about cheating because they feel like I have the advantage over them. That's all I'm going to leave that as right there."
A mixed-rules fight between Ngannou and Wilder has since been proposed by PFL founder Donn Davis after Ngannou signed with the MMA promotion in May following his UFC exit. Ngannou is set to make his PFL debut next year and Wilder has apparently been training MMA in secret for the past few months.
"I still think it will be a mixed-rules fight, and I still think Deontay Wilder is the most likely opponent," Davis said on The MMA Hour. "That would be unbelievable! We’re listening to Francis and he’s sequencing his options. He has a great boxing option and a great crossover option. What works for him in 2024, what works for the opponents, that’s what we are working with him on right now."