Frank Warren, a British boxing promoter and manager, had some pertinent pieces of advice for two significant pugilists recently – Anthony Joshua and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
Most notably, he addressed the prevailing speculation of a potential bout between martial artist Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua. Frank Warren warned Joshua about what he described as “Ngannou’s Power.” The term needs no explanation; it’s a direct reference to the power punches possessed by Cameroonian fighter Ngannou.
Ngannou, known for his deadly striking power in the UFC has amassed a 16-3 record with 12 knockouts. “Ngannou’s Power” is not just about his physical strength, but it also signifies the fighter’s tall stature, long reach, and an impressive striking ratio. Although primarily known for his achievements in MMA, Ngannou’s incredible boxing prowess is well documented. He’s touted as a major threat to any heavyweight boxer, Joshua included.
The potential face-off between Ngannou and Joshua is mounting a lot of interest, fuelled further by social media exchanges. Frank Warren, an industry veteran, acknowledges the threat Ngannou poses. While Joshua is an Olympic gold medalist and a two-time unified heavyweight world champion, the promoter warned Joshua to watch out for Ngannou’s power.
As the world continues to reel under the possibility of these two facing off in a boxing ring, Warren’s words serve as a reminder to the boxing community of the gravity of Ngannou’s power.
A word of caution from someone as eminent as Warren indicates that this prospective fight is not a casual sparring session. If it happens, it will once again underline the dynamism of the boxing circuit, its unpredictability and the potential rewards and pitfalls of stepping outside traditional boxing norms.
Interestingly, that isn’t the end of Warren’s advisory. The seasoned promoter also advised Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the current unified super middleweight world champion, to square against David Benavidez.
Benavidez is a two-time WBC super-middleweight champion and has ambitions to become the undisputed champion in the division. He brings to the table a strong skill set, power punches and a tough style – all the ingredients to keep boxing enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.
Warren points out that a lion like Canelo Alvarez, who has earned his place at the top of the boxing world, should prepare for a fight against a raging bull like Benavidez. He, too, has established his presence in the circuits and such a match up between two preeminent figures in the middleweight championship might be what boxing aficionados worldwide have been waiting for.
While Warren’s assertions are steeped in his experience and deep understanding of boxing, they also harmonise with the gravity of the game. High-profile boxing matches go far beyond a simple game of punches and play a pivotal role in shaping the face of the sport, unearthing new talent, and embedding new evolutions and styles.
In the end, it’s not just about hearing the words of wisdom from the stalwarts of boxing, but about how the fighters in question – Josh and Alvarez – interpret these. Whether they face Ngannou and Benavidez or not is something only time will reveal. Nonetheless, Warren’s words serve as pertinent signposts to navigate the fascinating world of boxing.
