Francis Ngannou is aiming high ahead of his proposed return to the boxing ring later this year.

‘The Predator’ made his comeback to the cage in his debut fight for the PFL in October, scoring a one-sided first round TKO win over Renan Ferreira as part of the promotion’s ‘Battle of the Giants’ card — but while PFL founder Donn Davis says that Ngannou will fight again under MMA rules this year, it appears that a return to boxing is next up for the former UFC heavyweight champion.

Ngannou has namechecked Deontay Wilder as a possible opponent but has more recently expanded that list to include some additional names — including a long-retired former heavyweight champion.

“There’s a lot of options. Rico Verhoeven could happen, but I don’t know,” Ngannou told Sportsbook Review.

“Rico is an option, Derek Chisora is an option, Wladimir Klitschko could be an option. I want a boxing fight next, I’d prefer a boxing fight next. I think it’s also about the timing. There are interesting [fights in the PFL]. Every fight that can happen, I’ll be ready to go.”

Wladimir Klitschko is an interesting name to mention. The Ukrainian former champ, who turns 49 next month, has reportedly been contemplating a comeback to the ring with the final aim of taking on Daniel Dubois for the IBF world title (it is unlikely he would seek a fight with compatriot Oleksandr Usyk).

Klitschko last fought in 2017 where he was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in Wembley Stadium in London in what was his second successive defeat after losing to Tyson Fury in 2015. He retired with a record of 64-5.

Kickboxing legend Verhoeven would also be an interesting test in a bout that would feature two world champions of their respective sports competing against one another in a third.

Ngannou has fought twice in boxing to date, losing to both Fury and Joshua in high profile bouts in Saudi Arabia.