FRANCIS NGANNOU is being lined up for a shock return to the ring next month by Saudi boxing chiefs, it's been claimed.
Saudi was set to stage the first undisputed heavyweight title fight in 25 years between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on December 23.
But both fighters have agreed to push back their long-awaited showdown to February following Fury's embarrassing display against former UFC champion Ngannou last month.
Saudi boxing chiefs, however, are still keen on having another marquee fight take place in the now-vacant slot.
And it's been claimed they're contemplating having Ngannou top the bill of a stacked short-notice show.
That's according to Boxing News, who claim former WBO champion Joseph Parker and surging heavyweight Zhilei Zhang are contenders to face the PFL pounder.
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They also claim the Saudis held "high-level talks about the clash" earlier this week.
Ngannou, 37, is the hottest commodity in combat sports following his virtuoso display in his split decision defeat to Fury, whom he dropped in the third round of their Riyadh rumble.
And he hopes to get another crack at the Gypsy King after he handles his business with Uysk, so much so he'll WAIT for the pair to duke it out before deciding his next move.
The Cameroonian clubber told TMZ: "The rematch is what I want next the most.
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"As for right now, I feel like there is a lot of options for me.
"But I want to choose wisely, and I would go for the rematch first."
He added: "My best scenario in boxing is to wait for Fury.
"If Usyk can step out and let me fight Fury, I'll fight Fury, then I'll let them do whatever they do.
"I'll go back, maybe do some MMA fight and come back with some people in boxing.
"I'm planning to fight potentially twice next year, [starting] maybe February or March."
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