Tyson Fury's dad has suggested the champion remains open to a "tasty" encounter in the ring against Francis Ngannou.
Fury is likely to make his next appearance in the ring against unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in a mega-fight for all the marbles this spring. The 'Gypsy King' had a hugely successful year last year defeating Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte, with former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou turning up at his win over Whyte and stating his claim to a future crossover bout.
The pair had already agreed to stage a heavyweight mixed-rules event during a back and forth on social media, but talks went quiet while Ngannou was embroiled in a contract struggle with the UFC. Now news broke this week that the Cameroon star has departed the UFC and is now a free agent leaving him able to negotiate lucrative boxing outings.
Fury's father John has insisted that he is still intrigued by a potential showdown, and is certain that a potential meeting will attract a large audience in the box office. “Yes absolutely he is a big powerful stature of a man, he is a heavyweight and he can certainly do some damage," Fury Sr told Mirror Fighting courtesy of FreeBets.com when assessing a potential match-up between Fury and Ngannou.
"He is built like Joe Joyce, size is everything in every aspect. Francis Ngannou is a free agent now, that looks very tasty on paper. Two big giants swinging at each other, it sounds good it sells so it is certainly in his plans.”
Ngannou was unable to negotiate a deal with Fury last year despite the 'Gypsy King' proposing that the pair meet in a Las Vegas clash this year. The former UFC champion has now vacated his belt after failing to get a clause to negotiate boxing matches alongside his octagon exploits.
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It remains likely that Ngannou would be an overwhelming underdog if the pair touched gloves, but if a fight is to happen the 36-year-old is confident he can make an impression. He told the MMA Hour : "Yes, I still want to achieve something in boxing and I want to stay in MMA as well. I discovered MMA first in my life and I feel like I have some mileage to give in my sport. In a perfect world, I go out there get some boxing match then get some MMA, depending on the challenges that are out there.
"If they are out there, I want to fight the top guys in boxing. I don't know, I think Fury has retired and come back. I don't know where Fury is right now, but now it is time. Before, we could not do anything concrete beyond the social media stuff. Whatever it is, if it is with Tyson Fury, I will take it. I have no problem doing boxing with 4oz gloves, we will figure it out. Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent."
