Francis Ngannou turned heads this week with a high-profile visit to Paris Saint-Germain, drawing attention from football fans and boxing fans alike.
PSG welcomed the former UFC heavyweight champion as a visitor to the European giants at their home stadium.
“A world champion visiting the European Champions. Welcome to the Parc des Princes, Francis Ngannou!” PSG said in a statement, celebrating the heavyweight’s presence.
However, Ngannou’s entering the home of champions brought back the doubts remaining over a possible fight with Deontay Wilder.
Wilder vs Ngannou is still unresolved
Speculation over a showdown between Ngannou and Deontay Wilder continues, but according to Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, the fight will not take place in 2025.
“Deontay won’t be fighting Ngannou this year,” Finkel told World Boxing News last week. “He would consider it in 2026. He wants a warm-up first before stepping into a big fight.”
Finkel also added that Wilder would be aiming for Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk, with no mention of the ex-UFC star.
Ngannou, however, has made it clear he is ready to settle the debate in the ring. “Respect, but I’m ten toes down. No fear, no fold, no fake. Always ready, always solid.
“Step in the ring and you’ll see what that means,” Ngannou said, signaling he wants action sooner rather than later.
Wilder’s team would undoubtedly open the door for negotiations if the offer were right.
Ngannou’s path forward
The Cameroonian powerhouse, who stunned boxing by competing against elite heavyweights Tyson Fury and Joshua in recent years, remains one of the sport’s most marketable crossover stars.
His PSG visit highlighted his growing global profile outside the ring, but fans are still waiting for clarity on his next boxing opponent.
With Wilder focused on a warm-up fight before any major clash, Ngannou’s next move remains uncertain. What is clear is that both fighters are ready, mentally and physically, for the moment when the heavyweights finally collide.
Wilder aims to fight at least one more time in 2025, but judging by Finkel’s words, they are willing to let the Ngannou stew a little longer until an inevitable big-punching encounter occurs.
As of now, the back-and-forth remains unresolved.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.