Promotor Eddie Hearn has confirmed that negotiations have taken place with Francis Ngannou and Derek Chisora for a professional boxing match in Saudi Arabia — likely in December.
Hearn made the announcement on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour.
If agreed, the bout would see Ngannou fight for the first time since leaving the UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship, and make his debut as a professional boxer.
The Cameroonian-French fighter is currently signed to the PFL, or Professional Fighters League, but has a clause in his mixed martial arts contract to allow him to participate in a boxing contest.
Chisora is no stranger to Saudi Arabia, and was last seen in Diriyah for “The Truth” event.
Having partnered with the Kingdom’s Skill Challenge Entertainment, the British boxer has commented that “none of these European promoters or American promoters can deliver how the Saudis want to deliver.”
A possible trifecta of heavyweight bouts are now likely in December, if Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk can get a deal signed, as well as Anthony Joshua agree on terms with Deontay Wilder.
