‘The Predator’ is among the many names Jake Paul and Netflix are taking a look at.
The streaming platform’s latest boxing event has been thrown into uncertainty just a few weeks before Paul was set to headline against Gervonta Davis at Miami’s Kaseya Center.
Fresh allegations of domestic abuse against the WBA lightweight champion emerged toward the tip of October. Because of this, Paul and Netflix began searching for Davis’ substitute.
Alongside talk of facing boxing stars like Ryan Garcia and Terence Crawford, ‘The Problem Child’ could possibly be returning to his habit of throwing down with mixed martial arts veterans, something that helped Paul construct his record within the ring.
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Francis Ngannou firmly dismissed a Jake Paul boxing match a yr before fresh offer
Paul’s list of potential replacements includes Francis Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion who has featured in two blockbuster boxing matches since departing MMA’s leading promotion initially of 2023.
After signing with the PFL and being granted the liberty to pursue his ambitions within the squared circle, Ngannou first got here near shocking Tyson Fury before being brutally knocked out in a one-sided showdown with Anthony Joshua.
The Cameroonian is trying to find his next opponent, with Deontay Wilder long being discussed because the probably. But with the Davis fight in jeopardy, Ngannou was approached to fight Paul on late notice.
While ‘The Predator’ has not commented publicly on the offer, comments from a 2024 interview with TMZ Sports provide some insight into how he might need replied to Paul’s team.
“No, no, no, don’t be silly,” Ngannou said when asked if he would box the ex-Disney star.
“Perhaps if we put the 2 brothers (Jake and Logan Paul) within the cage and lock the door. Respect me a bit of bit,” he added.
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Francis Ngannou’s next MMA opponent could soon be decided
While Ngannou’s next fight is predicted to return contained in the ring, he isn’t finished with MMA.
‘The Predator’ has not competed within the cage since his successful PFL debut in October 2024, when he ran through Renan Ferreira in quick time. In Ngannou’s latest MMA return update, the Cameroonian cited the shortage of opponent options as the rationale for his ongoing layoff.
Nonetheless, that would soon change. The PFL will close out its yr with an event in France, where Ferreira will fight Vadim Nemkov for the heavyweight title.
Ngannou previously name-dropped Nemkov as a possible opponent, so a victory for the Russian in Lyon this December could arrange a 2026 clash with the previous UFC champ.