Ngannou Remains Confident About His Boxing Skills – ‘I Still Have A Chance’
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou is still confident about being successful in boxing.
Ngannou joined the PFL last January after contract talks with the UFC broke down. The Predator signed a deal which allowed him to box. He agreed to box Tyson Fury on his boxing debut last October. He dropped the Gypsy King in the third round and landed the more eye-catching shots. But it was not enough to get a win, as Fury won a split decision.
The result divided the boxing community, with many feeling that Ngannou had been deprived of a historic win. Carl Froch referred to the decision as the highest form of corruption. Ngannou gained a top-ten ranking in the WBC, which divided the public since he only had one boxing bout. Francis landed a fight with Anthony Joshua. He had high expectations but could not deliver, as he was knocked out in the second. But that has not deterred Ngannou from continuing to pursue his boxing.
Ngannou On His Boxing
“It was like, ‘Okay, we want it to happen? Then make it happen. I think a lot of people do mistake something. … If anybody hits you, you’re gonna get hurt, you know? Yes, I might not have been doing boxing; I’m not a boxer. But still, I am a fighter. And even if I wasn’t a fighter, I can hurt and I can harm somebody.
“I was watching and people were like, ‘No, he stands no chance, he has zero chance!’ There is not a fight on Earth that I have zero chance. That element of zero chance does not exist. If you look at it, I’m a man. Two men together, someone might have more technique, might know the sport. But even if I’ve never been in the gym, you still better watch out; I still have a chance. Maybe not as much, maybe not equal chance, but I still do have a chance,” Ngannou said
Ngannou’s Future
Away from boxing, Ngannou is likely to make his PFL debut this year. PFL Chairman did say Ngannou was on course to make his debut this summer. But the passing of his 15-month-old son hindered that, as Ngannou naturally needed time to deal with the setback. But on his return, he has been linked with a fight against Renan Ferreira. Ferreira faced off against Ryan Bader on the February PFL vs. Bellator Champs card in Saudi Arabia.
Ferreira came out on top as he called out Ngannou. But the biggest fight to be made is the Jon Jones bout. Dana White refused to work with the PFL, ruling that out. And yet, the Saudis relationship with the PFL and the UFC makes that fight more possible. Outside of fighting, Francis has been named Chairman of PFL Africa. The playoff season will begin next year, as Africa’s best fighters face off against each other. Ngannou will oversee the process, offering him a career path outside of the sport. The future is bright for The Predator, who has several options on the table.
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