Deontay Wilder’s advisor, Shelly Finkel, has ruled out Francis Ngannou as his next opponent.
Wilder and Ngannou have been heavily linked to fighting in the past, and according to the latter they were close to finalising a bout before the end of 2025.
Ngannou recently issued an update that they were setting things up in order to action a crossover bout between the rivals.
Although, Wilder’s camp have since revealed their stance on the matter.
Finkel told World Boxing News that the potential MMA-boxing crossover bout between the two stars won’t be taking place any time soon.
He said: “Deontay Wilder will not be facing Francis Ngannou in 2025.
“That fight is not happening this year.”
Wilder is coming off of a win against Tyrrell Herndon in June, hosted by Global Combat Collective, which ended via knockout in the seventh-round.
When asked about Wilder having a potential contract with them to host his next fight, Finkell also shut down that rumour.
He stated: “Deontay doesn’t have a deal with anyone.”
‘The Bronze Bomber’ welcomed a return to winning ways against Herndon, having lost his previous two bouts against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
He boasts a professional record of 44-4-1, with his only other two losses coming against Tyson Fury.
While it is off the cards for now, there is still a chance that Wilder could face Ngannou next year in what would be guaranteed to be an explosive bout.
Ngannou is a decorated MMA legend, he is 0-2 in his boxing ventures having lost to both Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The former UFC heavyweight champion made the move to the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Although he has only fought once since his UFC departure, against Renan Ferreira, Ngannou is expected to be pursuing a return to the cage by any means.
What’s next for Deontay Wilder?
Finkel’s comments seem to suggest that Wilder is pursuing a traditional boxing bout for his next outing.
The Bronze Bomber’s famous advisor had suggested that he will fight before the end of 2026.
But it is likely he will once again take to the ring in a lower-level tune-up fight to try and continue his positive momentum, after ending a two-fight skid of defeats.
Wilder has also been linked to a number of alternative opponents including British heavyweight Dave Allen.
But Allen is instead now fighting Arslanbek Makhmudov and is now out of the running.
It is likely that the commercial mega fights that he so craves against the likes of undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua won’t materialise until 2026.