Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA – Francis Ngannou seems to be taking his crushing knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in stride.
Ngannou (0-2) entered the huge showdown in opposition to Joshua (28-3) within the featured bout of Knockout Chaos at Kingdom Area with excessive confidence on the heels of his efficiency in opposition to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Though Ngannou recorded a cut up resolution loss in October, he went the space and scored a knockdown.
Nevertheless, issues had been vastly totally different in opposition to Joshua. Ngannou was knocked down thrice, the final of which put him out chilly in Spherical 2.
“He was fairly particular as a result of he stopped me,” Ngannou mentioned about Joshua on the post-fight information convention. “He did what Tyson Fury couldn’t do. It wasn’t my day. He’s simply means higher than me right this moment. It sucks, however it’s the recreation. Everyone knows that.”
Regardless of the disappointing end in his second look within the boxing ring, Ngannou confirmed as much as the post-fight convention, seemingly in good spirits. When requested in regards to the punch that put him out, Ngannou joked that he didn’t really feel the punch.
“I did not really feel the punch. I believe that is what the knockout is about.”
Francis Ngannou cracked jokes after his KO loss to Anthony Joshua. pic.twitter.com/cAqTpdtyBx
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 9, 2024
A return to MMA is on the desk for Ngannou, and one which the PFL expects to happen later in 2024. Renan Ferreria, who received the 2023 heavyweight season and defeated Ryan Bader at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions for the best to face Ngannou, has mentioned he shall be ready.
Within the wake of a brutal loss, Ngannou was non-committal about what’s subsequent, however assured boxing will stay in his plans.
“As of proper now, I’m going to go residence, get some relaxation, course of what simply occurred,” Ngannou mentioned. “You understand, this has been a hell of a day since this morning. I’ll course of it and see what’s the subsequent step. However possibly MMA, however you may ensure that I’m not executed right here. Completely not. I’m not executed.”
Ngannou’s final MMA battle was his remaining UFC look in January 2022. He defeated Ciryl Gane to retain the heavyweight title at UFC 270, which was later vacated after deciding to not re-sign with the promotion because of the restrictive nature of the contract.
“The Predator” gained the liberty to field whereas signing with PFL for MMA competitors. Ngannou is 2 fights in to his boxing experiment and shot straight for the highest, leaping straight in with the Fury’s and Joshua’s of the boxing world. Whereas his paydays have been profitable, his document at present has a zero within the win column.
“I used to be simply on my means climbing up till I obtained stopped by A.J.,” Ngannou mentioned. “Congratulations, by the best way. That was a clear one.”
For extra on the battle, go to MMA Junkie’s hub for Joshua vs. Ngannou.
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