The Cameroonian French heavyweight contender, Francis Ngannou, recently sat down to discuss his career, where he candidly revealed reasons behind his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. Much to the delight of fight fans everywhere, Ngannou also expressed his desire to square off against the “Bronze Bomber,” Deontay Wilder, sometime in the future.
An enigmatic figure in the world of mixed martial arts, Ngannou has always been open about his journey and his learnings from different fights. Known for his incredible knockout power and impressive speed, it came as a surprising blow to the MMA world when Ngannou experienced a loss at the hands of his British rival, Anthony Joshua.
Reflecting on this, Ngannou shared that it wasn’t just the physicality of Joshua that lead to his loss but also the mental aspect of the game. He explained, “Anthony got the best of me that night, not just physically, but mentally. He won before we even stepped into the ring.”
The mental game is often neglected in physical sports but as Ngannou articulates, it plays a huge factor in the outcome of any match, especially in high tension scenarios such as fighting. It is the ability to calm nerves, whilst harnessing the adrenaline rush that separates the good from the great; and in this contest, it was Joshua superiorly commanding the psychological battlefield.
In stating this, Ngannou highlights his growth as a fighter, now cognizant of the importance of mental resilience, not just physical strength and agility. He expressed, “One of the biggest lessons learned from that fight was the understanding that a fighter is not only his fists…but also his mind.”
His resolve and understanding suggest that future opponents might have more than just the regular, physically intimidating Ngannou to contend with.
Speaking of future opponents, Ngannou went on to express his ambitions about sharing the ring with American heavyweight, Deontay Wilder. Known for his aggressive style and fierce power, Wilder has captivated fight fans, making a fight between him and Ngannou a tantalizing proposition.
When asked about Wilder, Ngannou enthused, “Wilder has incredible power and his boxing style is unique, it would be a great challenge and one I am keen to take.” Therefore, it seems Ngannou is set to stage a ring comeback. This proposed clash of two titanic punchers, who aren’t shy of a knockout, has already started sending ripples in the boxing community.
Ngannou’s fans hope to see his learnings on mental toughness from Joshua’s bout in a potential clash with Wilder. The road ahead, however, is resplendent with uncertainties. Following from his loss to Joshua, will Ngannou be able to demonstrate his newfound mental strength? Or will Wilder’s offensive style prove too much for him?
As we wait with bated breath for the return of the ‘Predator’, Ngannou, it is undeniable that his candid revelations have shed light on the complexities of being a fighter. Beyond the physicality, it emphasizes just how important mental fortitude is, not only in combat sports but in any sports discipline.
One thing is for sure, a prospect of a fight between Ngannou and Wilder has certainly put the boxing world on alert. As always, it is a long road from intent to realization, and only time will tell if this much-anticipated fight will indeed come into fruition. Meanwhile, Ngannou’s openness and revelation continue to carve out his unique legacy in the world of combat sports.
