Francis Ngannou News
Francis Ngannou commits to PFL fight despite Anthony Joshua boxing match: "We're in business together"
Josh Evanoff - January 8, 2024
Despite his boxing match against Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou is still planning on fighting in the PFL. Last week, ‘The Predator’ signed his return to the boxing ring against ‘AJ’. Just a few months removed from his split-decision loss to Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou will look to earn his first win. For his part, Anthony Joshua enters the matchup riding a three-fight winning streak. He last defeated Otto Wallin by knockout last month, before his plans for a Deontay Wilder clash this Spring were foiled.
Francis Ngannou plans to “find out” if Anthony Joshua actually has a chin: “I've heard that he doesn't”
Susan Cox - January 8, 2024
Francis Ngannou is planning to ‘find out’ if Anthony Joshua actually has a chin. It will be Francis Ngannou going up against Anthony Joshua on Saturday, March 9th in Saudi Arabia.
Francis Ngannou on a potential rematch with Tyson Fury: “It’s going to happen”
Susan Cox - January 8, 2024
Francis Ngannou is speaking out on a potential rematch with Tyson Fury. It was on Saturday, October 28th of last year, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that Francis Ngannou made his first professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury.
Pro fighters react after Francis Ngannou books boxing match with Anthony Joshua
Chris Taylor - January 6, 2024
Several pro fighters have reacted after news broke that Francis Ngannou will be boxing Anthony Joshua this coming March. It was just yesterday afternoon when MMA journalist Ariel Helwani announced that the former UFC heavyweight champion, Ngannou (0-1), had booked his second professional boxing bout against former WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (27-3).
Francis Ngannou releases first statement after booking Anthony Joshua boxing match
Josh Evanoff - January 5, 2024
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou is ready for his upcoming boxing match with Anthony Joshua. ‘AJ’ has been looking for an opponent after his long-awaited boxing match with Deontay Wilder was blown up last month. Both men competed in the high-profile DAZN event titled ‘Day of Reckoning’. In the main event, Anthony Joshua scored a knockout win over Otto Wallin, while Wilder suffered a loss to Joseph Parker in the co-main.
Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua boxing match reportedly a "done deal"
Cole Shelton - January 5, 2024
Francis Ngannou has his second pro boxing fight set. According to MMA journalist, Ariel Helwani through Turki Alashikh, Ngannou will return to the boxing ring against Anthony Joshua on March 9. The fight will be ten rounds and will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two will also have a press conference in the coming weeks in London to officially announce and start the promotion for the boxing match.
Francis Ngannou reflects on his departure from the UFC: “This business can be nasty”
Harry Kettle - January 4, 2024
PFL star Francis Ngannou has reflected on his exit from the Ultimate Fighting Championship last year. In 2023, Francis Ngannou took a giant leap of faith and decided to leave the UFC. He took a risk and decided to bet on himself, and we’d say that bet has paid off in a big way. In addition to signing a blockbuster deal with PFL, where he is expected to compete this year, Ngannou also took part in a crossover boxing superfight against Tyson Fury.
Eddie Hearn names Francis Ngannou as 1 of 3 possible opponents for Anthony Joshua’s next fight
Susan Cox - January 2, 2024
Eddie Hearn has named Francis Ngannou as 1 of 3 possible opponents for Anthony Joshua’s next fight. Anthony Joshua most recently defeated Otto Wallin at the ‘Day of Reckoning’ event this past December (see that here). The Brit’s record now sits at 27 wins and 3 losses. Of those 27 wins, 24 came by way of knockout.
Deontay Wilder reveals what he needs in order to accept mixed rules bout with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou
Fernando Quiles - December 8, 2023
Deontay Wilder has listed what to be done in order for a mixed rules bout with Francis Ngannou to come to fruition. Ngannou has forced his way into the boxing conversation thanks to his performance against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Despite losing the 10-round heavyweight tilt via split decision, Ngannou was praised for scoring a knockdown on Fury and nearly pulling off a massive upset.
Francis Ngannou thinks it would be "too hard" for Deontay Wilder to fight him under MMA rules: "We were thinking of mixed rules"
Fernando Quiles - December 7, 2023
Francis Ngannou believes Deontay Wilder would have a difficult time fighting him under MMA rules. Ngannou has made a huge dent in the boxing world. He scored a knockdown on Tyson Fury in their pro boxing match back in October. Fury narrowly escaped with a split decision victory, and now Ngannou is a hot ticket in boxing’s heavyweight division.
Interim Boxing champion reveals Francis Ngannou turned down December 23rd bout: "Walk in the park for me"
Josh Evanoff - December 1, 2023
Zhilei Zhang nearly booked a boxing match against Francis Ngannou for later this month. ‘The Predator’ famously made his boxing debut in October, against Tyson Fury. Despite Francis Ngannou entering the matchup as a massive underdog, he nearly shocked ‘The Gypsy King’. The PFL heavyweight scored a knockdown in round three, and even cut the British boxer.
Dan Hardy: "Anthony Joshua's probably one of the better matchups for Francis Ngannou"
Fernando Quiles - November 26, 2023
Former UFC fighter and current head of fighter operations for PFL Europe Dan Hardy believes Francis Ngannou has the edge over Anthony Joshua in a potential boxing match. Ngannou has made waves in boxing world after nearly defeating WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a 10-round match. Ngannou lost the bout via split decision. In the aftermath of the fight, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has shared interest in booking a boxing match with Ngannou.
PFL’s Donn Davis wants Ngannou vs. Wilder to be a "mixed-rules" fight
Zain Bando - November 21, 2023
Monday marked a historic day for MMA, as Donn Davis’ PFL and Scott Coker’s Bellator unified to become second-fiddle to the UFC. It also teased speculation about what could be next on the boxing side of things, specifically for former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Donn Davis, who appeared on the latest edition of “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani, said there is a possibility of Ngannou fighting Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion.
Frank Warren says there's a "good chance" Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou 2 goes down in 2024
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2023
Frank Warren believes Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou will likely meet in the boxing ring again in 2024. ‘The Gypsy King’ and ‘The Predator’ are fresh off their meeting in Saudi Arabia last month. For Francis Ngannou, the boxing match was the first of his career. Meanwhile, the bout was the only thing standing between Tyson Fury’s title clash with Oleksandr Usyk, set for December 23rd.
Francis Ngannou’s coach pinpoints who would be the tougher matchup between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall
Fernando Quiles - November 19, 2023
Francis Ngannou’s MMA coach Eric Nicksick has given his take on whether Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall would be the tougher fight for “The Predator.” Ngannou is currently enjoying the fruits of his labor in the boxing world after nearly upsetting WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. While Ngannou is scheduled to make his PFL debut in 2024, most agree that a boxing match would be the next logical move for the former UFC heavyweight champion. Even when his schedule becomes clear, many feel the big MMA fights for Ngannou would’ve been under the UFC banner.
Tyson Fury reveals mind-boggling payout for Francis Ngannou boxing match
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2023
Tyson Fury reportedly made far more than Francis Ngannou in their high-profile boxing match last month. Last month in Saudi Arabia, ‘The Gypsy King ‘and ‘The Predator’ faced off. The boxing match was the first in the career of Francis Ngannou, while the bout was the only thing standing between Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk. The heavyweight title unification was tentatively slated for December 23rd.
Francis Ngannou says fans should blame the UFC for Jon Jones fight not coming to fruition: “We both were asking for it”
Susan Cox - November 15, 2023
Francis Ngannou is saying that fans should blame the UFC for Jon Jones fight not coming to fruition. While Ngannou (17-3 MMA) was still with the UFC he did want to battle Jon Jones (27-1 MMA) in the Octagon.
Francis Ngannou confirms that Tyson Fury bout paid more than entire MMA career: "The Royal Treatment"
Josh Evanoff - November 14, 2023
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou is still buzzing after his boxing match with Tyson Fury. ‘The Predator’ made his boxing debut last month in Saudi Arabia. The event marked a lot of firsts for Francis Ngannou, as the bout with Tyson Fury was his first since leaving the UFC. Famously, his exit was marred with controversy and a feud with Dana White over not being paid what he felt he was worth.