Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua called out by Francis Ngannou after UFC exit as heavyweight star eyes boxing switch

FRANCIS NGANNOU has called out Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua after leaving the UFC.

The heavyweight has walked out as UFC champion after failing to agree a new contract with the MMA powerhouse.

Francis Ngannou has called out Tyson Fury and Anthony JoshuaGetty

ReutersTyson Fury after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022[/caption]

Anthony Joshua before his first fight with Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021Getty

Now Ngannou, 36, is ready to realise his long-standing dream of making it as a professional boxer.

And he is wasting no time in calling out two of sport’s best in Fury, 34, and Joshua, 33.

Ngannou said on The MMA Hour: “I still want to achieve something in boxing and I want to stay in MMA as well.

“I discovered MMA first in my life and I feel like I have some mileage to give in my sport.

“In a perfect world, I go out there get some boxing match then get some MMA, depending on the challenges that are out there.

“If they are out there, I want to fight the top guys in boxing. I don’t know, I think Fury has retired and come back.

“I don’t know where Fury is right now, but now it is time. Before, we could not do anything concrete beyond the social media stuff.

“Whatever it is, if it is with Tyson Fury, I will take it. I have no problem doing boxing with 4oz gloves, we will figure it out.

“Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent.”

Fury faced off against Ngannou in April after he knocked out Dillian Whyte, 34, at Wembley.

But at the time, the Cameroonian was injured and still in talks to extend his UFC deal.

The UFC prohibit their stars from fighting outside of the promotion, unless given special permission.

Conor McGregor, 34, was given so in 2017 for his loss to American legend Floyd Mayweather, 45.

But Ngannou was told he would not be allowed to replicate McGregor’s move, leaving him unwilling to be tied down to one promotion.

He said: “In that contract, I’m not free. I’m not an independent contractor. I have no rights.

“I hand over all the power to you guys. I’ve seen in the past how you guys can utilise your power against me, and I don’t want that.”

Francis Ngannou with UFC president Dana White in January 2022Getty