Anthony Joshua not focused on 'gimmicky' fight with PFL's Francis Ngannou

While Anthony Joshua likes a fight with Francis Ngannou, he's more focused on his boxing career according to promoter Eddie Hearn.

It looks like Francis Ngannou won't be boxing his desired targets like Anthony Joshua in 2023 at the very least.

It's no secret that the former UFC heavyweight champion and new PFL signing wants to box as he recently revealed he was looking at a potential fight with Joshua to take place in Africa.

“We’ve been looking at [Anthony Joshua in Africa],” Ngannou said on the DAZN MMA Show (via MMA Mania). “Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, so far we’ve only been able to keep the conversation [going] with Deontay Wilder. But, Anthony Joshua is the fight that we’d like to do.

“We’ve talked with Eddie [Hearn] once, but that was when Joshua was about to fight [Jermaine] Franklin. That’s something that’s interesting and if we bring this to Africa, then it is going to be massive.

Eddie Hearn — Joshua's promoter at Matchroom Boxing — is certainly interested in the fight and in Ngannou's life story as a whole.

However, he revealed that while Joshua liked the matchup, even if it's gimmicky, he was more focused on his boxing career at the moment as he's targeting a fight with Wilder next.

“I think the Francis Ngannou fight happens in the Middle East,” Hearn told The Mac Life. “It’s a kind of … not freak show, because Francis can box as well, but the big money comes there from the Middle East. And in August, it’s not really the time to do it [because of weather]. Mainly.

“I spoke to AJ about the fight. He likes it and he gets it, but he’s very focused on his boxing career at the moment. And he doesn’t want to derail that to do something a little bit gimmicky. Even though it’s is dangerous, he wants to prepare for Deontay Wilder, and I think he doesn’t feel that Ngannou would prepare him for Deontay Wilder.”

That said, Hearn believes Ngannou — who can box thanks to his PFL deal — will eventually get his huge fight in boxing.

“I had two hours with Francis Ngannou in a meeting in Vegas,” Hearn added. “One of the most fascinating meetings I’ve ever had. His story is unbelievable. I found myself just asking question after question about his life and how he ended up where he did. I don’t think anyone can relate, it’s unbelievable.

“He’s a very tough man, and a huge man, and he will be in a huge fight, I’m sure.”