Francis Ngannou has just been highlighted as a dream opponent for one of the heavyweight division's most tenured boxers. Two-time WBC heavyweight title challenger Derek Chisora allegedly disclosed his wish to face 'The Predator' to combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani. The fans, however, disagree.
As Helwani says it, Chisora wants Ngannou for his 50th professional boxing match. Moreover, given that Ngannou is Cameroonian and Chisora was born in Zimbabwe, it is a matchup that the latter would like to have in Africa, although no country was specified.
Ngannou is no stranger to boxing, having taken part in two professional bouts, with his first outing being a controversial split-decision loss to Tyson Fury. His second match, though, was significantly more lopsided, as he was handed a brutal second-round knockout by Anthony Joshua.
Nevertheless, fans on X did not react positively to Chisora's reported wish to face Ngannou. One fan even stated that he no longer has any interest in watching Chisora fight at all.
"Loved Chisora, but he shouldn't be fighting anymore."
Others, though, feared for Chisora given how powerful Ngannou is.
"I love Chisora but Francis is way too dangerous"
Some flat out rejected the proposed matchup in response to Helwani trying to assess fan interest in it.
"Not in the slightest"
This was echoed by other tweets.
"No lol"
A collage of fan reactions can be seen below:
The fans' widespread dismissal of the matchup is understandable. Chisora is not only on a rough patch, going 3-4 in his last seven fights, but he has looked like a shell of his former self at 40 years old. While Ngannou is just two years younger at 38, he has aged better, has less wear-and-tear and remains at his physical peak.
Another declining boxer has expressed an interest in boxing Francis Ngannou
Two weeks ago, heavyweight boxing knockout Deontay Wilder threw his name into the hat of potential opponents for Francis Ngannou. He spoke to TMZ Sports and issued a fairly respectful challenge to the newly crowned PFL Super Fights heavyweight champion.
"Yeah, that's a conversation I'm still looking to get in there in the mix and talk about it [fighting Francis Ngannou]."
Check out Deontay Wilder's callout of Francis Ngannou (1:55):
Much like Derek Chisora, 'The Bronze Bomber' is on a rough patch, having gone 1-4 in his last five fights, including three stoppage losses. Furthermore, he is 39 years old and struggles to pull the trigger nowadays.