Ngannou is a unique addition to the heavyweight division. His unexpected showing against Tyson Fury last October was the type of surprise the boxing world is not accustomed to. Dropping one of the world’s best heavyweights in the third round and taking him the 10-round distance was proof that the Cameroonian is not some sort … Read more
2) Captain Hook Although not technically perfect, Ngannou’s left hook carries undeniable power, as seen when Fury was knocked down in round three. 3) No fear Instead of dwelling on his performance against Fury, Ngannou decided to face Anthony Joshua, a fighter considered out of his league. 4) Fit for war Unlike Fury’s usual tactics, … Read more
Whether his March 8 boxing match against Anthony Joshua ends in victory, defeat, or the frustration of a draw, Francis Ngannou is expected to next be seen throwing punches the way of a mixed martial artist rather than another boxer. That’s the noise coming out of PFL (Professional Fighters League), the mixed martial arts organisation … Read more
By Matt Christie SCORING fights and the system of doing so is arguably the most debated subject in boxing. This week’s Boxing News highlights the difference in opinion on the matter is stark. Whether it’s Mikaela Mayer feeling aggrieved, Natasha Jonas feeling relieved or Maxi Hughes feeling cheated (after George Kambosos, the man who beat … Read more
By Declan Taylor ANTHONY JOSHUA is halfway through explaining why he has decided to make his move to Ben Davison a permanent one when he whips his iPhone out of his trouser pocket and opens up the notes app. “I do my own stuff,” he says, beginning to scroll. “For example with Ngannou…” By now … Read more
By Steve Bunce ALL the elements were in place for the latest Saudi boxing extravaganza. Upstairs in the shadows, the boss was lurking, downstairs on the top table, old and bitter rivals were laughing and backslapping and, in the audience, Gary Stretch, was wandering about, posing for pictures and smiling. It’s a brand-new world of … Read more
By Declan Taylor NO SOONER had Anthony Joshua taken care of Otto Wallin on December 23 than Francis Ngannou set the ball rolling for his own fight with the English heavyweight icon. Of course, that Day of Reckoning card had been set up almost entirely as a prelude for Joshua’s long-awaited fight with Deontay Wilder, … Read more
By Matt Christie ONCE upon a time in Saudi Arabia, the man widely regarded as the best heavyweight in the world was almost beaten by a debutant and subsequently had to postpone a fight with his closest rival. Less than two months later in the same Kingdom, a card featuring several other top heavyweights, which … Read more
By Elliot Worsell REGARDLESS of the rights and wrongs, there is something rather beautiful and poetic about Francis Ngannou, a man who this time last year had never had a boxing match, suddenly becoming the most in-demand and interesting heavyweight boxer on the planet. It is, in so many ways, exactly what the heavyweight division … Read more
By Elliot Worsell ANTHONY JOSHUA’S next fight was announced on Friday night (January 5), just before midnight UK time, by a renowned mixed martial arts journalist (Ariel Helwani) addressing his millions of followers through the power of webcam and social media. Fitting, perhaps, and in so many ways, Joshua’s fight against Francis Ngannou, 0-1 (0) … Read more
