The Rise of Ngannou in Boxing
For nearly six months, he struck fear into the world of boxing. Back in October, the renowned former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou entered the ring in Saudi Arabia to face off against the lineal and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in his boxing debut. While Fury ultimately secured the win through a contentious split decision, the lasting memory from that epic showdown was Ngannou sending Fury to the canvas in the third round with a powerful blow. Despite the defeat, it was evident that Fury was pushed to his limits in the bout.
The question on everyone's mind was: If Ngannou could come so close to claiming a heavyweight title in his very first boxing match, what incredible feats could he achieve in the future?
Ngannou, known for his bravery, faced a brutal defeat at the hands of former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. The highly anticipated boxing match took place last Friday in Saudi Arabia, where Joshua dominated Ngannou in a surprisingly short amount of time. Despite predictions of Joshua's victory, the extent of Ngannou's beating shocked many as he was knocked down twice in just two rounds. The final blow came from a powerful overhand right from Joshua, leaving Ngannou incapacitated for a brief period.
"I remember being in the locker room trying to warm up," Ngannou shared on Instagram on Wednesday. "It wasn't working." Ngannou revealed that he had felt drowsy and fatigued before the fight, stating, "I'm sweating, but I'm falling asleep." Despite his 0-2 record in boxing, Ngannou refused to make excuses, acknowledging that it was a new experience for him. He took some time off to reflect on the fight and his overall performance.
Francis Ngannou Takes Responsibility for Loss
In a recent statement, Francis Ngannou acknowledged that Anthony Joshua did what was necessary to secure the win. Ngannou commended Joshua and his team for executing their plan effectively, while also praising his own team for their efforts. He took full responsibility for the outcome of the fight, stating, "No blame to anybody. All the blame is just about me. That's the game."
Despite the loss, the 37-year-old Ngannou reassured fans that he is in good health following the fight. "I was conscious right after," Ngannou confirmed, "and since then everything's been good."
