Francis Ngannou could fight Deontay WilderCredit: AFP

Wilder previously held talks to face NgannouCredit: Getty

And the Cameroonian ring novice had Fury down in round three and desperately unlucky to walk away with a split-decision loss.

The heroic display has left Ngannou open to more boxing bouts and according to Wilder’s coach Scott, they could be next.

He told FightHype: “We’re already in communications about it.

“He’s an option now, and we’re going to see where things go. Yeah, absolutely,”

Ngannou, 37, held talks to fight Wilder before finalising a deal with Fury, 35.

The Bronze Bomber, 38, also walked away to focus on a blockbuster with Anthony Joshua, 34, in the Middle East.

But those negotiations have also since cooled with the heavyweight super-fight looking more likely in the new year.

Wilder has even teased a switch to MMA and Ngannou – recently signed to the Professional Fighters League – is open to a two-bout deal.

He said on The MMA Hour: “We have spoken about that. In fact, that has been in the discussions. So that’s something that can potentially happen.

“Deontay Wilder for a couple of months, for a little while now, has been training MMA. Because there is an option here.

“Nothing is set, but it’s been something been coming to my ear, to my attention, so that’s something that makes sense.

“He’s really serious about MMA. I know a lot of people talk, ‘I’m going to do this in boxing and do that in MMA.’

“But Deontay Wilder is very interested in MMA and even to step in the octagon for MMA and MMA only.”

Ngannou is open to more boxing boutsCredit: Reuters