Joe Joyce is keen to fight UFC star Francis Ngannou after the Cameroon star showed "freak" power during a sparring session.
Ngannou is out of action after suffering torn knee ligaments before his successful UFC title defence against Cyril Gane in January. He is also embroiled in a contract dispute with the promotion, and is eagerly trying to place a clause in any new deal which allows him to negotiate lucrative boxing fights.
There are several opponents the Cameroon native has been linked to since suggesting he would fight in the squared circle, including champion Tyson Fury. However 'The Juggernaut' has thrown his name into the mix, but is not willing to fight in any mixed-rules contest.
“I sparred Ngannou before the Dubois fight, he’s a big, powerful unit," Joyce told GiveMeSport when discussing a potential crossover bout with Ngannou. “It was a good experience to spar him. He’s a freak of nature. He’s got phenomenal power. Most of the time I was trying to get away from those power shots to avoid getting my head taken off.
“I’d love to fight him though but let’s keep it simple with boxing. The UFC is too much, man. Credit to all those guys because they have to train so hard in all these different areas like they have to be so well-rounded in the kicking, the striking, the grappling and the submissions and all that so it’s a lot you have to train for.”
Ngannou's power has become a trademark of his UFC career and has seen many inside the sport suggest he would also perform well if he made the leap to boxing. The champion has frequently expressed his desire to move to a new sport, after comparing his fight purses to the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
Who wins if the pair fight in the boxing ring - Joe Joyce or Francis Ngannou? Let us know in the comments section below
The 36-year-old has been embroiled in a lengthy debate with UFC kingpin Dana White over a new deal, but has reportedly suggested he would like a clause in his contract where he is able to re-negotiate the terms after every fight. This would likely see him earn more money for his potential upcoming defence against UFC superstar Jon Jones on his return, due to the magnitude of any event.
However UFC legend Chael Sonnen has slated his demands and believes Ngannou needs to consider the rest of the roster. "He believes that that's reasonable," Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. "And the reason I tell you it's disrespectful. If I'm the business guy and I'm taking all the risk but I'm guaranteeing it not matter how bad it hurts - those numbers right now - on time every time, I'll figure it out. And the reason I tell you it's disrespectful. I have 556 of you and I do this every Saturday."
