DILLIAN WHYTE has thrown his name into the ring to welcome former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to the boxing ring.
The Cameroonian clubber officially became a free agent this month after he failed to agree a new deal with mixed martial arts‘ premier promotion.
Francis Ngannou is a free agent after failing to agree a new deal with the UFCGETTY
GETTYThe former UFC heavyweight champ is hoping to box later this year[/caption]
MATCHROOM BOXINGBrit Dillian Whyte is willing face The Predator in both boxing and MMA[/caption]
Ngannou, 35, has had several boxing and MMA promoters reach out to him following his UFC departure but is leaning towards competing in the former.
And recent WBC heavyweight title challenger Whyte is keen to throw down with the vicious knockout artist, who he’s also willing to trade leather with in the cage.
The Body Snatcher told Sky Sports: “I would love to fight him.
“Obviously he is a champion, a dangerous guy, but I think I would bash him up.
“It would be a very interesting fight, because we both have got a martial arts background and he’s up for jumping in at the deep end, fighting someone like me. It would get lots of interest and eyeballs.”
Whyte, 34, is no stranger to the confines of the cage having fought under the UCMMA banner nearly 15 years ago.
So he’s certainly not afraid to put himself in harm’s way and face The Predator at his own game.
He said: “A lot of these boxing guys pick on these MMA and martial arts guys and beat them up in a boxing ring.
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“But they are not brave enough to get in the cage.
“I would happily fight him in boxing and in the cage as well.”
Ngannou’s seven-year stint in the octagon was filled with brutal and viral knockouts, although his highlight reel doesn’t strike fear into the hear of the heavy-handed Whyte.
The Brit said: “It is much easier to knock people out with four-ounce gloves that have next to no padding.
“Can he do the same with a 10-ounce boxing glove? I know I can.”
“Obviously he’s a good fighter, he’s strong, but there are a lot of holes in his game.
“He is throwing from far away, he is a slugger.
AlamyFrancis Ngannou’s ferocious striking doesn’t intimidate Dillian Whyte[/caption]
“In MMA, that style runs, because you have small gloves and you just need to connect anywhere with someone to do damage.
“But this is boxing. You need skills and good timing.
“He can’t just come out and start slugging and think he can knock people out.
“A guy standing in front of him can make him miss. All those punches he throws.
“He’s dangerous and a big strong guy, but it’s a great fight for me, to be honest.”
Brixton banger Whyte hasn’t fought since his controversial decision victory over Jermaine Franklin last November.
A summer trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua is in the pipeline for the fan favourite, provided Joshua gets past American Franklin on April 1.