Francis Ngannou’s foray into the world of boxing has been a rollercoaster ride, captivating audiences with his raw power and athleticism. However, a recent setback against Anthony Joshua has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, leading to a significant drop in his rankings. Previously hailed for his near-triumph against Tyson Fury, Ngannou’s defeat has prompted questions about his future in the sport.
Following his defeat to Joshua, Ngannou has plummeted from the top 10 to the 24th position in the WBC heavyweight rankings. This drastic fall underscores the harsh reality of boxing, where one loss can dramatically alter a fighter’s standing. The top of the rankings now sees Anthony Joshua firmly entrenched as the dominant force, with other contenders seizing the opportunity to climb higher.
He explained, “Listen, I think we both fight at 3 a.m… what I think something that’s happened is that they get me to the arena very early. My pickup time was 10:30 to go to the arena and when we got to the arena they tell us we are scheduled around 1:45 a.m.
“And then around 1, they come to the locker… and Joshua hasn’t arrived. So I’m like we’re fighting around the same time,” he explained. “Even during the week we were going to places and have to wait and Dewey was complaining ‘They do this kind of trick to get you tired’… I didn’t know how important that was until fight week,” Ngannou revealed.
Names like Joe Joyce, Dereck Chisora, and Otto Wallin now find themselves ahead of Ngannou, highlighting the competitive nature of the heavyweight division. Despite his previous accolades in the UFC, Ngannou faces an uphill battle to reclaim his position in the boxing world.
As speculation swirls about Ngannou’s future in boxing, attention turns to his next move. The Cameroonian-French fighter is set to return to the MMA arena, with a showdown against Brazilian powerhouse Renan Ferreira in Saudi Arabia. This eagerly anticipated matchup promises fireworks, as both fighters look to make a statement on the international stage.
Ngannou’s return to MMA comes amidst serious allegations against the organizers of the Anthony Joshua fight. The fighter has accused them of various discrepancies, prompting a response from Eddie Hearn, who has defended the integrity of the event.
In the midst of controversy and uncertainty, Ngannou remains determined to prove his worth in the world of combat sports. His upcoming bout against Ferreira is not just a chance for redemption but also a test of his resilience and skill.
Francis Ngannou’s knockout loss to Anthony Joshua has reshaped the boxing landscape, sending the former UFC champion tumbling down the rankings. However, with a return to MMA on the horizon, Ngannou has an opportunity to silence his critics and reignite his career in spectacular fashion.
“We prepared for (Francis Ngannou to switch to southpaw),” Davison told The MMA Hour Show. “We knew that he would struggle to defend. If (Anthony Joshua) did a couple of things beforehand to set a certain scenario up, he’d struggle to defend the right hand from a southpaw stance. And that’s what happened. I just think it was a mistake on his behalf.”