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Following his recent bout with world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, the WBC has revised its rankings, placing former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in the 10th position. Despite losing to Fury through a judges' decision in their October clash, Ngannou showcased his prowess by sending the renowned Briton to the canvas, even though the match was not a title fight due to Ngannou's absence in the previous WBC rankings.
In a noteworthy development, the WBC, during its annual convention this year, officially declared Ngannou as the 10th-ranked contender, positioning Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua in the first and second spots, respectively, as reported by the BBC.
It's worth noting that various boxing sanctioning bodies, such as the IBF, WBO, and WBA, maintain their distinct world rankings, each playing a role in shaping the landscape of the sport. In addition to revising the rankings, the WBC has revealed plans to announce the mandatory challenger for Fury's title in the coming year.
Fury himself is set to face Oleksandr Usyk, the WBA, WBO, and IBF champion, in February, with further details of the matchup expected to be disclosed this week. Looking ahead, Ngannou is determined to forge ahead with his boxing career, sparking speculation about potential matchups against the likes of Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
Interestingly, Joshua and Wilder are scheduled to fight separate opponents in Saudi Arabia on December 23, but discussions about a potential face-off between the two heavyweight titans are already circulating, possibly materializing in the upcoming year.
Ngannou's journey into combat sports began with boxing during his childhood before transitioning to MMA. Despite excelling in the octagon, boxing has remained his true passion. Following an impressive performance against Fury, Ngannou is expressing his desire to pursue a professional boxing career.
This shift underscores his commitment to the sport that initially ignited his passion and serves as a testament to his versatility as an athlete. As the boxing world eagerly anticipates these potential clashes, the revised WBC rankings have injected new dynamics into the heavyweight division, setting the stage for thrilling encounters and reshaping the landscape of championship aspirations.