What happens when two of the most powerful punchers in the history of their respective sports meet? Why, a hug of course.
Between their respective careers, Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou can claim 53 collective knockouts in just 65 combined contests, a KO rate unrivalled among top-level heavyweight fighters in boxing and mixed martial arts — but none of that would come without some hard graft in the gym, and this is what Wilder appears to be doing as he seeks to rebound from his defeat to Tyson Fury last October.
Ngannou, meanwhile, continues to rehab from knee surgery he undertook earlier this year to repair an injury he suffered in the weeks before his most recent UFC title defence against Ciryl Gane earlier this year and ahead of a rumoured move of his own to the boxing ring, he got an opportunity to size up the ‘Bronze Bomber’ when they came face-to-face this week at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas where Wilder is currently training.
Two of the heaviest punchers in the world meeting each other 💥
Francis Ngannou 🤝 Deontay Wilderpic.twitter.com/5TMvggREOk
— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) August 4, 2022
“Hey champ,” Ngannou says from ringside in the brief clip posted to social media. “What’s up brother?” replies Wilder.
“Not much. How are you?” “Doing alright.”
“Blessings, blessings, blessings,” says Wilder as the two share a hug. “Good to meet you,” replies the Cameroonian.
“The pleasure is mine”. “Have a good training.”
“Trying to get back in the groove,” responds Wilder as the clip comes to a close.
Speaking at the end of May, Wilder indicated that he intends to continue in boxing after previously suggesting he may opt to retire following his second defeat to Fury.
“I can’t stop right here,” he said at the unveiling of a statue of him in his native Alabama, “I must continue my journey. I have to, I have to.”
“It’s just been an amazing feeling, so many people reaching out and telling me I’m important because without an American heavyweight boxing really isn’t exciting,” he added to Blue Blood Sports TV. “An American heavyweight brings that excitement to the division, and then all the money flows. I’ve had multiple people ask me to come back.”
