RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – It took a couple times, but Francis Ngannou still couldn’t really believe it.
Mike Tyson, who helped him train for his pro boxing debut this past October and was with him on fight night, is going to box Jake Paul in May. Everything about it seemed like it had to be some kind of internet hoax. But once he was assured – again – that it was a very real fight, it’s no surprise where Ngannou’s allegiance went.
“Of course I’ll be there to support Mike,” Ngannou said.
Truth told, Ngannou might have given pause when he was reminded that Tyson will be 58 when the fight happens, and Paul is 30 years his junior. Then again …
“But he can still kick some ass – there’s no doubt about it,” Ngannou said.
Ngannou left the UFC in 2023 after a contract dispute while he still was heavyweight champion. He signed with the PFL for MMA, but also has executive duties built into his deal – and a chance to box, which he did this past fall against Tyson Fury and shocked the world with an early knockdown, though he lost a controversial split decision.
His showing, though, got him ranked in the WBC top 10, and now he has another big matchup Friday in Saudi Arabia against Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs). An upset win against 4-1 favorite Joshua could set Ngannou (0-1) up for a unified heavyweight title shot in what would be just the third fight of his boxing career.
For more on the fight, visit MMA Junkie’s hub for Joshua vs. Ngannou.
