Is Francis Ngannou boxing career over?

• Francis Ngannou has fought two of the best heavyweight boxers in the world in just four months
• Ngannou, 37, made his professional debut in boxing in October 2023 and left many shocked by his performance against Tyson Fury
• The former UFC champion remains keen to continue fulfilling his childhood dream of being a professional boxer despite suffering defeats in his first two fights

Francis Ngannou boxing career suffered a huge setback on Friday night when he lost to Briton’s Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. Ngannou has fought two of the best heavyweight boxers in the world in just two months and has been in two of the biggest fights of 2023 and 2024.

Ngannou, 37, made his professional debut in boxing in October 2023 and left many shocked by his performance against Tyson Fury. The Cameroon native knocked Fury down in the third round and almost delivered one of boxing’s biggest upsets, but the WBC champion got up and held on to the last round. Fury did win the fight via a controversial split decision, which left Ngannou and a good number of boxing fans fuming.

Francis Ngannou had a remarkable boxing debut against Tyson Fury back in October, during which he floored the WBC heavyweight champion. Photo/Sky Sports

Considering the fight against Fury was his first in boxing, many predicted that Ngannou was going to have a bright future in the sport after dominating the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

On Friday, Ngannou was back in the boxing ring again, this time clashing with Anthony Joshua, who is among the finest fighters in the heavyweight division. Joshua entered the fight as a favourite due to his experience, but Ngannou was not to be underestimated. However, any danger posed by the 37-year-old was quickly erased by Joshua who recorded his fourth straight victory since losing to Oleksandr Usyk back in 2022.

Joshua won the bout against Ngannou via knockout, but what was surprising to many is how he made quick work of the Cameroonian who gave Fury a hard time last year.

Joshua scored a knockdown in the first round with a heavy right hand that left Ngannou a bit unsteady even after beating the count. Another knockdown followed in the second round, an equilibrium shot that connected on Ngannou’s left ear. Once again, the former UFC champion managed to get on his feet, but Joshua planted him on the canvas for good with a perfectly placed destructive punch.

What’s Next For Francis Ngannou?

While many might argue that Francis Ngannou boxing career is done following Friday’s defeat to Anthony Joshua, the 37-year-old doesn’t see it that way.

Francis Ngannou remains keen to pursue his boxing career despite suffering defeats in his first two pro fights. Photo/ CBS Sports.

Ngannou remains keen to continue fulfilling his childhood dream of being a professional boxer despite suffering defeats in his first two fights.

Speaking after the fight against Anthony Joshua, Ngannou said that he is not done with boxing but also hinted at MMA return.

“As for right now, I think I’m going to go home, get some rest, process what just happened. This has been a hell of a day, since this morning. I’ll process it and see what is the next step. But maybe MMA, but you can be sure that I’m not done here [in boxing]. Absolutely not. I’m not done.” Francis Ngannou is quoted by Sky Sports.

After walking away from the UFC, Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League, and it was recently announced that he will fight PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira later this year.

Anthony Joshua Backs Ngannou to Continue Boxing

Anthony Joshua showed his support for Francis Ngannou after knocking him out on Friday. Speaking to the press after the highly anticipated bout in Riyadh, Joshua said that Ngannou was an asset to the fight game and shouldn’t be discouraged despite starting his boxing career on a bad note.

Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou. Photo/MMA Junkie – USA.

“I think he’s an asset to the fight game. Don’t be discouraged, and I respect you regardless. I said it before, and I still stand on it. I know we had to fight, but I just told him, ‘Keep your head high’.” Anthony Joshua said, as per Sky Sports.