UFC double champion concerned about Francis Ngannou teasing BIG name in return to boxing
Daniel Cormier isn't sold on Francis Ngannou taking on former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, right off a devastating KO loss in boxing.
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Daniel Cormier concerned about Francis Ngannou's return to boxing (Source: X)
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier doesn’t think Francis Ngannou is in the right place to take on another former boxing champ. Ngannou is one the biggest free agency signings in recent times, earning eight-figures salary minimum. Besides MMA, his pro boxing ventures have not gone well. Yet, he has Deontay Wilder in his sights for the next boxing matchup.
Ngannou’s boxing debut came as a surprise to many as he lost a controversial decision to Tyson Fury. The performance from ‘The Predator’ had many believing that he would beat Anthony Joshua next. But the former WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO champ swiped him out in brutal fashion in Round 2, last March. Now, Cormier advised caution going ahead.
There were people picking Francis over Joshua, …I love Francis, but not to insult him: Anthony Joshua felt so less of a threat that he, who is traditionally one of the most passive boxers in the world for a heavyweight champion, went after Francis. He didn’t feel the threat because of the lack of experience that Francis had in boxing…If you ask me, it would seem like he’s up against it again. Maybe he’s just the biggest, baddest man on the planet like we all believe, and he doesn’t care that he’s up against it…
Daniel Cormier via his Official YT Channel (@@DC_MMA)
Although Wilder is 1-4 in his last five fights, Cormier’s concern for Ngannou stems from the power he possesses. ‘DC’ also presents that the world does not need the same visuals of the great Francis Ngannou folding to a heavyweight as he did against Joshua. Cormier also said Ngannou need not spoil his MMA momentum right now. After all, he just overcame his boxing slumps in spectacular fashion.
Ngannou towered over Renan Ferreira at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ pay-per-view and won the Super Fights heavyweight belt. From public drama to devastating losses both in and out of the cage, Ngannou has not let this deter him. In 2025, the African fighter will likely try to pursue his boxing dreams again from the look of things.
Brendan Schaub ready on the brink of a Deontay Wilder boxing fight with heavyweight Francis Ngannou
Brendan Schaub would relish the opportunity to sit in the middle of the action as Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder traded blows. Ngannou was the headliner boxer in the Saudi GEA Riyadh Season opener and Turki Alalshikh might bring him back again. While Schaub backs the former WBC champion to win, he’s identified a weakness in Wilder’s game that the Cameroonian could exploit.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, the ex-UFC star lauded Wilder (43-3-2, 42 KOs) who’s in many ways an upgrade to Ngannou. While he bills that Wilder hits ‘like a Mack truck’ and is heavy-handed, Ngannou could find his pockets. Wilder does have weaker legwork and defenses, according to Schaub.
Wilder hits like a Mack truck. His defense isn’t the best, so Francis has a better opportunity to win. Francis is still an underdog in that fight, don’t get it twisted…Deontay has been in there; he’s just a pure boxer. His heavyweight run, which is over, is one of the greatest of all time. One of my favorite fighters of all time, absolutely adore Deontay Wilder, worked with him many times, I f**king love the dude.
Brendan Schaub on his ‘Thiccc Boy’ Podcast (@ThicccBoy)
Deontay Wilder vs. Francis Ngannou would bring together arguably the two most powerful punches in boxing history. The idea of watching the Warriors go at it would undoubtedly keep fans roaring. However, there are deeper technical and legacy implications to that.
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