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Francis Ngannou reveals reasons behind knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua

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Anthony Joshua VS Francis Ngannou AND Frank Warren

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has opened up about the factors that led to his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua earlier in the year.

The 38-year-old Cameroonian, who left the UFC after defending his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in 2022, shifted his focus to boxing and signed with the PFL. However, his MMA debut was delayed after he ventured into the boxing ring, first facing Tyson Fury in a close split-decision defeat and later suffering a brutal knockout at the hands of Joshua in Saudi Arabia.

Reflecting on his defeat to Joshua, Ngannou revealed in an interview with Piers Morgan that several problems plagued him leading up to the fight, ultimately affecting his performance. “That fight wasn’t a good fight,” Ngannou admitted. “The whole experience wasn’t good. A lot of things were off. It might have just been a bad day at the office, but lots of things leading up to that fight were not right. My timing and everything was off.”

Ngannou further explained that he knew something was wrong from the start when an unexpected punch floored him. “The first punch, which wasn’t even hard, put me down, and that’s when I realised something was wrong because that’s not a punch that would normally get me down,” he said. “Even in the Tyson Fury fight, Tyson hit me with an elbow, and I didn’t even realise it. But in the Joshua fight, a punch that hit my hand first brought me down. Nothing went well that night.”

Despite the disappointing result, Ngannou refused to make excuses, acknowledging, “I lost that fight, period. But I’ll move on. Next time, I will prepare better and fix the things I overlooked.”

Ngannou is set to return to MMA action on October 19, where he will face reigning PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in Riyadh. This will mark his highly anticipated debut in the PFL after a turbulent year in boxing.

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BOXING

Meet Britain’s hardest-hitting boxer, whMeet Britain’s hardest-hitting boxer, whose ferocious punch power has seen him ‘outshine’ heavyweight Anthony Joshuaose ferocious punch power has seen him ‘outshine’ heavyweight Anthony Joshua

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British cruiserwight Aloys Junior's incredible power has the boxing world on notice. Junior has seven consecutive knockout

British cruiserwight Aloys Junior’s incredible power has the boxing world on notice.

Junior has seven consecutive knockout wins on his professional record, and has ferocious power that has seen him compared to heavyweight legend Mike Tyson.

During an appearance in the talkSPORT offices, Junior smashed the punch machine record, scoring higher than Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou who previously hit an arcade machine.

And Junior, who will return to the ring against Oronzo Birardi at York Hall this weekend, has insisted his earth-shattering power is something he carried from a young age.

Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou predictions including Tyson Fury - Mirror Online

“I’ve been blessed with great genetics, but overall it has to be work ethic as well,” Junior exclusively told talkSPORT.com.

It is certainly work ethic, I have worked for a very young age on my explosiveness, and I have carried on working hard on it throughout my adulthood and professional career.

“It is something that I continue to work on to this day, my punch power and my explosiveness.

“I struggled to find sparring partners but not so much now, I always used to try and knock them out.

“Nowadays I don’t try to do so as much, I try to use them a bit more for work and rounds.

“If you are trying to knock these guys out, it is fun, but when are you going to spar again? It is very counter-productive.

Anthony Joshua knocks out MMA star Francis Ngannou in one-sided boxing match

“I even wear bigger gloves now around 20lbs, so to make sure I don’t hurt my sparring partners as much.”

Junior has been training under the stewardship of experienced trainer Ben Davison, who is the current trainer of former two-time heavyweight world champion Joshua.

Heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma, who has also been coined as ‘Britain’s Mike Tyson’ is also a recent stablemate of the exciting young cruiserweight.

Joshua and Itauma have been in scintillating form, in particular the former who has knocked out Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou since inheriting Davison as a cornerman.

OKAYHis promoter Frank Warren has insisted he is becoming known for becoming the most heavy-handed within the camp.

He said on talkSPORT’s Jim White and Simon Jordan: “A cracking fight between Aloys and Berardi.

“Aloys has been training with Ben Davison, and everybody in that camp says he is the hardest puncher in the camp.

“That camp includes Moses and AJ so it will be an exciting fight, and he is an exciting prospect.”

The 21-year-old has a bright future ahead of him, despite falling to defeat on his professional debut.

Junior took a brave step-up on his maiden appearance, taking on prospect Michal Soczynski, and losing on a narrow points decision.

But Junior believes he can go to new levels after impressing alongside the two talented fighters.

“Ben is helping me get to the next level,” Junior continued.

“He has increase my IQ by like ten times, by really understanding the sport ins and outs.

“Knowing when to do and not to do something, being aware of what is happening in front of you.”

He concluded on his ambitions: “Yeah absolutely I would love to be at British title level.

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BOXING

WHY Francis Ngannou Said There Was ‘Something Wrong’ Hours Before Anthony Joshua Fight

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Francis Ngannou Said There Was 'Something Wrong' Hours Before Anthony Joshua Fight

Francis Ngannou said he told his coach Eric Nicksick that “something’s wrong” just hours before he was due to fight Anthony Joshua in a boxing-rules contest at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, in March.

The fight was Ngannou’s second foray into boxing, after rapidly rising to the very top of the UFC’s heavyweight division as a champion with proven punching power at the highest echelons of MMA. That power appeared like it transferred to the boxing ring as he floored Tyson Fury with a punch in his boxing debut, last year. But, against Joshua, Ngannou suffered a second-round knockout loss to the dominant British boxer.

On The Joe Rogan Experience, Ngannou had more to say about the defeat — specifically what he said went on in the build-up to the bout on the night of the fight.

Anthony Joshua demolishes Francis Ngannou in stunning Saudi KO - sending ex-UFC champion crashing to the canvas three times in two rounds - and now he wants Tyson Fury | Daily Mail Online

Ngannou told Joe Rogan that media obligations, an ever-changing schedule, and delays once he was already at the venue and ready to fight, seemingly exhausted him before the opening bell had even been rung.

“We get into fight week, and every time we’re going to do media, they’re going to pick me up and then I get there and have to wait an hour and a half before [any of the media] arrives. On the third day of fight week, [coach] Dewey Cooper started to get very mad, ‘This is what they do to get fighters tired’!”

There was also confusion regarding schedules, Ngannou said.

Anthony Joshua puts Francis Ngannou to sleep for minutes with brutal knockout | Marca

“Fight day, we receive an email. Pickup time: 10:30 from the hotel. And when they say 10:30, by 10:20 there’s a car at your door waiting. The supposed fight time is between midnight to 1:00. We get to the arena at 10:45. A producer comes into the locker room, says, ‘Oh, guy, we are running late on the broadcast. Now we’re gonna go around 1:45.’ I’m like okay, 1:45. It’s 10:45. Three hours.”

There was also confusion regarding schedules, Ngannou said.

“Fight day, we receive an email. Pickup time: 10:30 from the hotel. And when they say 10:30, by 10:20 there’s a car at your door waiting. The supposed fight time is between midnight to 1:00. We get to the arena at 10:45. A producer comes into the locker room, says, ‘Oh, guy, we are running late on the broadcast. Now we’re gonna go around 1:45.’ I’m like okay, 1:45. It’s 10:45. Three hours.”

“I got to the point that I was so tired, I was in the locker room hitting mitts, then sitting down, falling asleep. Then I tell [coach] Eric Nicksick there’s something wrong. I’m asleep. I feel like I wanna sleep. Like, I’m sweating. But we just keep going.”

Ngannou doesn’t blame Joshua specificially but instead appears to point the finger at event organizers.

Though it is unclear if there is a large appetite to see Ngannou fight for a third time in boxing, after Joshua beat him so resoundingly earlier this year, he said to Rogan in a separate part of the podcast that he will return to MMA — specifically PFL MMA — for a fist-fight with 6-foot-8 brute Renan Ferreira. The fight, he said, would take place in October.

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua Names The Greatest Boxer Of All Time: “By A Mile”…

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Anthony Joshua has no doubt about who he considers to be the best boxer ever to lace up the gloves.

The British heavyweight can rightly claim that he has been one of the standouts of the current era. He quickly rose through the amateur ranks to become an Olympic Gold Medalist at London 2012 just a couple of years after picking up the sport rather late aged 18.

Anthony Joshua VS Joseph Parker

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Once he turned professional, Joshua went on an impressive run of early knockouts, including picking up the British title with a stoppage of Dillian Whyte back in December 2015.

His first world title came with another stoppage, this time of Charles Martin, and he unified with wins over Joseph Parker, who was the first man to take him the distance, and a stoppage of long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko.

After some routine defences he hit his first stumbling block in New York’s Madison Square Garden when he was halted by underdog and late stand-in Andy Ruiz Jr, though quickly exacted revenge in the rematch.

Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte

2021 and 2022 proved difficult years with back-to-back losses to the eventual undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk, though since then he has got back to winning ways with a trip of stoppages over Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius and Francis Ngannou.

SEE MORE: Oleksandr Usyk’s reign as undisputed world heavyweight champion is already over but could he lose more belts?…

Speaking to Mens Health, ‘AJ’ was asked who he considered to be the best-ever fighter and he immediately went with American Legend Muhammad Ali.

“Historically, Ali. By a mile.”

Anthony Joshua VS Francis Ngannou AND Frank Warren

After a gold medal laced amateur career, Ali beat George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and Earnie Shavers in a 61-fight campaign. The undisputed heavyweight champion formerly known as Cassius Clay left his mark not just on the sport but culture entire.

Next up for Joshua is a shot at becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion when he takes on Daniel Dubois for the IBF title at Wembley in September. That is a feat only repeated at heavyweight by Ali, who was also undisputed champion from 1974 to 1978 and is often considered one of the greatest sportsmen of the last century.

RELATED: ‘I Sparred Anthony Joshua & Tyson Fury – Two Brits Punch Harder’…

 

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BOXING

‘I Sparred Anthony Joshua & Tyson Fury – Two Brits Punch Harder’…

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ANTHONY JOSHUA VS TYSON FURY

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have been two of the biggest heavyweights in British boxing in recent years, with the two seeming to be on a collision course ever since we can remember. However, that wait could finally come to an end in 2025.

Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou

JUST IN: Joe Rogan speculates ‘the fix was in’ for Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou boxing match…

Despite the fact they are the two biggest names in British boxing, ahead of Joshua’s meeting with Daniel Dubois for the IBF world title in September, a former sparring opponent of both Fury and AJ has revealed that there are two Brits that punch harder than the poster boys.

Former cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie has sparred with both Fury and Joshua, but has named Dubois and teenage boxer Moses Itauma as the hardest hitters he has faced off with.

“I think he’s probably one of the hardest punchers. Him and Moses Itauma are the two hardest punchers I’ve been in the ring with, whether that’s sparring or fights.”

Lawrence Okolie’s History With Fury & Joshua

Anthony Joshua & Tyson Fury AND Lawrence Okolie

Okolie has sparred with Joshua a number of times over the years, but Fury made the former Olympic boxer part of his training camp before his first meeting with Deontay Wilder in 2018.

Following the 2016 Olympics, the 31-year-old became one of the most sought-after names for the biggest stars in boxing as a sparring partner. Joshua’s next opponent, Dubois, is another name the former cruiserweight has shared the ring with as a sparring partner, with Okolie warning just how hard he hits. Itauma has also shared the ring with Okolie, however, and the 31-year-old was also full of praise for him.

High Praise For Moses Itauma 

Okolie spoke highly of Itauma’s ability, comparing him to a teenage Mike Tyson as he pointed out the 19-year-old has the hardest punch he has felt. Given that that is in a sparring capacity and not a competitive scenario, it speaks volumes of what the teenager’s opponents would be feeling when they share the ring with him.

Oleksandr Usyk AND Tyson Fury VS Daniel Dubois

Itauma is currently unbeaten, with a record of 9-0. Seven of those victories have come via knockout, which highlights even further what Okolie has praised the teenager for with his punch. Not only did the 31-year-old compare the 19-year-old to Tyson, but he also tipped Itauma to go to the very top of the sport.

Joshua & Tyson Set For Collision Course

The British duo have long been predicted to face off in the ring, with it being frequently labelled the most anticipated fight in British boxing history. That prediction looks set to come true within the next year, with the two predicted to meet as early as December of this year.

Joshua’s most recent fight came against Francis Ngannou, who had lost to Fury before meeting with him. Meanwhile, the Gypsy King met with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in the first undisputed title clash in 25 years, which saw the latter emerge victorious.

Following his victory over the former UFC star, many had speculated the possibility of Joshua meeting the winner of the clash between Fury and Usyk, but with the Gypsy King off the table, and Joshua’s upcoming meeting with Dubois, that appears to be unlikely.

RELATED: Dillian Whyte Delivers Harsh Verdict On Fury-Usyk Rematch: “It’ll Be Much Harder This Time”…

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BOXING

Joe Rogan speculates ‘the fix was in’ for Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou boxing match…

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Francis Ngannou’s great effort against Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut remains legendary in recent combat sports history.

JUST IN: Dillian Whyte Delivers Harsh Verdict On Fury-Usyk Rematch: “It’ll Be Much Harder This Time”…

Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou

The former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight champion shut up all doubters this past October 2023. Manifesting his dream of boxing an all-time great, Ngannou went toe-to-toe with the then-undefeated 33-0-1 Fury. Ngannou lost the bout by split decision (watch highlights) on the judges’ scorecards but performed so well that many believed he was the true winner in every sense.

Amongst that party was longtime UFC commentator, Joe Rogan, who believes Ngannou probably needed a finish for a clean win, considering Fury had his follow-up match already scheduled.

“I thought he won that fight,” Rogan said on his Joe Rogan Experience podcast. “But, you know, they were setting up that [Oleksandr] Usyk fight. They were not gonna let — yeah, it just seemed like the fix was in a little bit.

Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury

“It was close enough that they could pull it off,” he continued. “You could go, ‘Okay, maybe. Maybe you could see him winning that,’ but I don’t think so. I thought Francis won it. A lot of people thought Francis won it.”

Ngannou and Fury have suffered the same fates in their matches since they fought. Ngannou, 37, took on Anthony Joshua in his sophomore boxing appearance when he suffered a second round knockout loss (watch highlights) in March 2024. Fury, on the other hand, was dealt his first loss against Usyk, who earned the split decision win in May 2024 (watch highlights).

 

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BOXING

Dillian Whyte Delivers Harsh Verdict On Fury-Usyk Rematch: “It’ll Be Much Harder This Time”…

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OLEKSANDR USYK VS TYSON FURY

Tyson Fury is currently dealing with something he never has before in the sport of boxing – bouncing back from defeat.

TYSON FURY VS DEONTARY WILDER

The Morecambe heavyweight lost out to Oleksandr Usyk in their undisputed title fight, suffering a brutal ninth round that resulted in a count from the referee and ultimately a loss on the cards. The rematch is set for December 21.

Former heavyweight world title challenger Dillian Whyte – who made a low-key return to the sport in March after he was cleared to box when a doping investigation found he had used a contaminated supplement – told IFL TV that it was possible for his former opponent to win second time around but questioned if he was the same fighter he used to be.

Tyson Fury VS Dillian Whyte

“It’s heavyweight boxing so anything is possible and you can’t write Fury off but maybe these hard fights he’s had have taken a toll on him, you never know, he’s human and he’s had a lot of hard fights, a lot of knockdowns and maybe it’s taken a toll on him and maybe he’s not even bothered or motivated anymore.

If he trains right he’s big so stands a chance but Usyk’s self confidence will be through the roof and before he thought he could outbox him but now he knows he can hurt him so it’ll be a much more difficult task [for Fury] this time around.”

Fury was in a demanding trilogy with Deontay Wilder before two more straightforward title defences against Whyte and Chisora. The bout before Usyk was against Francis Ngannou, in which the Brit was knocked down heavily before scraping a split decision win.

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