Francis Ngannou's Transition to Boxing
In a surprising turn of events, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has decided to hang up his MMA gloves in favor of lacing up the boxing ones. At 37 years old, Ngannou is embarking on a new journey in the squared circle and is already setting his sights on some of the sport’s biggest names.
Upcoming Bout with Anthony Joshua
Ngannou's commitment to boxing is about to be tested as he prepares for an upcoming bout against none other than Anthony Joshua. This high-profile matchup is generating significant buzz in the combat sports world, considering Joshua's recent track record of three consecutive wins following back-to-back defeats at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk.
Nearly Besting Tyson Fury
While Ngannou may be new to professional boxing, he has already proven himself to be a formidable opponent. He narrowly missed victory in a non-title match against Tyson Fury, showcasing that his power and athleticism can translate effectively into the boxing ring.
A Potential Fight Against Deontay Wilder
Ngannou has expressed a strong desire to fight Deontay Wilder, a former WBC heavyweight titleholder known for his devastating knockout power. Wilder, who has an impressive 42 knockouts to his name, recently suffered a loss to Joseph Parker. Despite this setback, a match between Ngannou and Wilder would certainly capture the attention of fight fans around the globe.
UFC Legacy and PFL Signing
Looking back at Ngannou's MMA career, he reached the pinnacle of the sport when he became the UFC heavyweight champion in 2021. His tenure as champion included a successful title defense against Ciryl Gane, further cementing his legacy in the UFC annals. However, despite this success, Ngannou has chosen not to renew his contract with the UFC and instead signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). While he has yet to step into the PFL cage, there has been speculation about him fighting Wilder under the PFL banner, indicating the fluid nature of combat sports matchmaking.
Ngannou's Boxing Ambitions
When speaking about his transition to boxing, Ngannou made it clear that he is seeking new challenges and excitement that he feels are no longer available to him in MMA. "I'm here for the boxing career, and there I have a lot of challenges, a lot of names. For example, the top three guys that I've always had are Fury, Joshua, and Wilder," Ngannou stated, emphasizing his intention to make an impact in boxing.
His focus has shifted entirely to boxing, as he mentioned, "It's a boxing career; it's not an MMA career now. We are here talking about my boxing career." This statement reflects a definitive end to his chapter in mixed martial arts and the beginning of a new one in boxing.
Ngannou appears to be particularly motivated by the prospect of facing Deontay Wilder, saying, "Wilder better get it together because I'm not done. I want that name on my record." This determination suggests that Ngannou is not just dipping his toes in the boxing waters but diving in headfirst with the intention of making waves.
Reflecting on his MMA accomplishments, Ngannou expressed a sense of completion, "In my MMA career, I got to the point that is everyone's dream. I was MMA champion. There are some great fights to do in MMA, but there's not a new challenge, something exciting in MMA." It seems that having achieved his goals in MMA, Ngannou is searching for that same thrill in the realm of boxing.
Despite the seemingly concrete plans for his boxing career, Ngannou acknowledges the unpredictable nature of fight sports, as evidenced by past discussions regarding a potential PFL fight with Wilder. "Two months ago, we were talking about fighting Deontay Wilder in the PFL [Professional Fighters League]. The landscape can change quickly. Everything is possible," he said, leaving the door open for various opportunities.
Conclusion
Francis Ngannou's venture into boxing is not just another crossover attempt by an MMA fighter; it is a calculated move by a seasoned combatant looking to conquer another domain. With his eyes fixed on the likes of Joshua, Fury, and Wilder, Ngannou is poised to shake up the heavyweight boxing scene. As the combat sports community watches closely, many are eager to see if Ngannou's power and ferocity will translate into a successful boxing career that