Boxing Journey Continues Despite Defeat to Anthony Joshua
Francis Ngannou has affirmed that he has no intentions of permanently stepping away from boxing despite a significant defeat to Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. The MMA fighter, aged 37, suffered a two-round stoppage in a one-sided bout, marking his second loss in two boxing matches. However, Ngannou dismissed suggestions of a permanent return to MMA, emphasizing his determination to continue in the boxing arena.
Acknowledging the defeat, Ngannou stated, “You can be sure I’m not done here. It wasn’t my day. He was way better than me today. It sucks, but it’s the game. We all know that.” The Cameroonian fighter, who held the UFC heavyweight championship, transitioned to professional boxing, facing WBC champion Tyson Fury four months ago in a closely contested bout that went 10 rounds.
In the recent match against Anthony Joshua, the 34-year-old Briton showcased a dominant performance, securing a knockout victory over Ngannou, who had never previously competed in professional boxing. Despite the defeat, Ngannou praised Joshua’s performance, acknowledging that he was stopped in a way Tyson Fury couldn’t achieve.
Reflecting on the knockout, Ngannou said, “[Joshua] was quite special because he stopped me. He did what Tyson couldn’t do. In fact, I didn’t feel the punch. I think that’s what a knockout is about. I don’t feel any pain. That’s how I know I was knocked out.”
Ngannou’s future plans remain uncertain, considering his recent foray into boxing and the upcoming PFL (Professional Fighters League) bout against heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira later this year. Having left the UFC to pursue boxing ambitions, Ngannou’s next move could involve a return to MMA, marking his comeback after the last UFC fight in January 2022, where he defeated Ciryl Gane.