Francis Ngannou Unveils Boxing’s Dark Side: Claims of Deliberate Delays and Dirty Tricks in Anthony Joshua Fight
In the gritty world of professional boxing, where the line between strategy and manipulation can often blur, Francis Ngannou’s recent revelations have cast a stark light on what he claims were underhanded tactics employed during his bout against Anthony Joshua. Following a high-profile loss to Joshua in March 2024, Ngannou has emerged with accusations that could shake the sport’s credibility, revealing what he believes were deliberate attempts to undermine his performance.
Ngannou’s debut in the boxing ring against Tyson Fury was nothing short of sensational. A narrow split-decision loss to the heavyweight champion positioned Ngannou as a formidable contender in the sport. However, his second bout, a March 2024 clash with Anthony Joshua, ended in a quick second-round knockout, and it is this defeat that Ngannou now attributes to more than just Joshua’s superior skills.
“And then every time that we’re going to do something in the five week, whether it’s media, they’re going to pick me up and then I get there have to wait like one hour and a half before he arrives,” he said.
In a candid conversation on Joe Rogan’s podcast, episode #160 of the JRE MMA Show, Ngannou aired his grievances and frustrations. According to Ngannou, the lead-up to the fight was marred by a series of what he perceives as deliberate time-wasting tactics orchestrated by Joshua’s team. “Every time that we had a media event or any promotional activity, I’d arrive on time, but then I’d end up waiting for an hour and a half before Joshua would show up,” Ngannou recounted, highlighting a pattern of delays he believes were designed to exhaust him mentally and physically.
The culmination of these alleged tactics, Ngannou revealed, occurred on the night of the fight itself. Originally scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM, Ngannou arrived at the arena around 10:30, only to be told that the fight had been rescheduled to 1:45 AM. This last-minute change, Ngannou claims, was a deliberate attempt to disrupt his preparation and create additional stress. “When I saw Joshua arriving at 1:30, I couldn’t help but think that this was all part of the plan to tire me out before the fight,” he said.
Ngannou’s coach, Dewey Cooper, had previously warned him about such tactics, but Ngannou dismissed these concerns, not fully grasping their potential impact. The extended wait, combined with the stress of the unexpected schedule change, may have played a role in his inability to perform at his peak during the fight.
“Pick up time is 10:30 from the hotel … We go to the supposedly fight night. We get to the arena, 10:45, there’s a producer coming to the locker room saying ‘Oh guys, we are running late on the broadcast now we’re going to go around 1:45’. It was around 1:30 that Anthony Joshua arrived. I’m like so we supposed to fight at 1:45 he’s arriving at 1:30. What does that mean?” Ngannou added.
Anthony Joshua’s camp, however, has been quick to dismiss Ngannou’s claims. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s manager and head of Matchroom Boxing, took to social media to mockingly suggest that Ngannou’s accusations were a sign of lingering frustration from the knockout. “I’m not sure he has come round yet,” Hearn quipped on X/Twitter, indicating that Joshua’s team views Ngannou’s allegations as a byproduct of post-fight bitterness rather than credible concerns.
Despite the rebuttals from Joshua’s camp, Ngannou remains adamant about his version of events. His frustration with the boxing world’s handling of his fight has only intensified his resolve to continue pursuing a career in the sport. “I feel like boxing owes me something after the way my last fight went down,” Ngannou asserted. His desire to push forward despite the setbacks highlights his resilience and determination to prove his worth in the ring.
“I’m not sure he has come round yet,” Hearn wrote.
However, not only is Ngannou angry at Joshua’s team for their supposed shenanigans, but is also determined to continue boxing since he feels the sport “owes something” to him after his last fight and how it played out.
As Ngannou continues to navigate the complex world of professional boxing, his revelations have sparked a broader conversation about the integrity of the sport and the lengths to which some might go to gain an advantage. Whether these claims will lead to substantive changes or simply fuel further controversy remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Francis Ngannou is far from finished in his quest to make a mark in boxing.
