Francis Ngannou Eyes Influencer Boxing as Next Move, Reveals Kalle Sauerland
Former UFC Champion’s Future May Involve Crossover Boxing with Misfits
Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has become one of the hottest free agents in combat sports after parting ways with the UFC. Despite being offered a lucrative deal that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history, Ngannou chose to leave the promotion, and speculation about his next move has been rampant.
Ngannou has long expressed interest in stepping into the boxing ring to face top names such as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. However, his future could take a different direction—potentially into the world of influencer boxing.
Sauerland: “Ngannou Fits Perfectly Into Our Crossover Events”
Kalle Sauerland, the promoter behind the influencer boxing organization Misfits Boxing, revealed in an interview with ProBoxingFans that his company is in discussions with Ngannou’s team. Sauerland believes Ngannou would be a natural fit for Misfits, a platform that blends professional boxing with influencer and crossover bouts.
“I’d love to sign him, and I think he would fit perfectly into our crossover stuff, including Misfits,” Sauerland said. “There are several big fights out there for him.”
A Potential Matchup with Derek Chisora
Sauerland is particularly keen on a potential matchup between Ngannou and British heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora. “I think we could build him on there and bring over Derek Chisora, a big fight like that,” Sauerland suggested, highlighting how Ngannou’s immense popularity could create an intriguing crossover bout within the Misfits framework.
While Chisora represents one option for Ngannou’s foray into the world of boxing, other potential opponents may also be in play.
Dillian Whyte as Another Option
Another name connected to Ngannou is Dillian Whyte, who has a background in both MMA and kickboxing. The two fighters were involved in a “heated” face-off video that never aired due to Ngannou’s contractual obligations to the UFC at the time. Whyte’s experience in both sports makes him an intriguing opponent for Ngannou, with rumors of a possible two-fight deal that could include both a boxing match and an MMA-style contest inside the octagon.
A Hot Commodity Across Combat Sports
Ngannou’s departure from the UFC has made him a highly sought-after free agent across multiple combat sports. In addition to offers from boxing promoters, he is also likely to receive interest from organizations like the PFL (Professional Fighters League) and BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship). His power and global recognition make him an appealing figure for promoters seeking to draw in large audiences, whether in traditional boxing, MMA, or crossover events like Misfits.
What’s Next for Ngannou?
As the discussions continue, fans are eager to see where Ngannou lands. Whether he faces boxing heavyweights like Tyson Fury or ventures into the growing world of influencer and crossover boxing, one thing is certain: Ngannou’s next step will be a major event in the combat sports world.
For now, the possibility of seeing him take part in Misfits Boxing has only added to the excitement surrounding his future, and Sauerland’s involvement indicates that the influencer boxing scene may continue to attract big names from traditional combat sports.