Daniel Cormier explains why he’s concerned about Francis Ngannou returning to boxing
Francis Ngannou might be the most intriguing boxer with an 0-2 record, and the former UFC heavyweight champion has now announced his intention to return to the sweet science for his next fight after a brief return to MMA for his PFL debut.
Along with his plans for a boxing match next, Ngannou also mentioned former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder as a potential opponent as two of the heaviest handed fighters in the history of combat sports could meet in the ring. But Daniel Cormier doesn’t love this decision for Ngannou, especially after watching how his previous fight against Anthony Joshua ended in a brutal knockout loss.
“There were people picking Francis to beat Joshua,” Cormier explained on his YouTube channel. “I love Francis but not to insult him, Anthony Joshua felt so less of a threat [from Ngannou] 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.
“Sure, he’s going to make a boat load of money, he always does, but at what point do you go [I don’t know] because 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 that we all believe and he doesn’t care that he’s up against it and he wants to prove everyone wrong like he did the first time when he fought Tyson Fury and he fought him to a very close fight. But we cannot ignore the visuals of what we saw the last time, especially when he came back to MMA and fought so well.”
It was after his knockout loss to Joshua that Ngannou finally came back to MMA where he made quick work of Renan Ferreira in his debut fight with the PFL. A showdown with Wilder presents some very powerful obstacles.
“People don’t hurt Francis Ngannou, but when it happened in the [Anthony Joshua] fight, he looked lost,” Cormier said. “That’s what’s concerning to me. Because I know there will be moments in that fight with Deontay Wilder the way that he punches where he’s going to need to find safety.”
No one would call Wilder a technician in the ring, but he’s made a career out of putting people to sleep with his devastating power.
That said, Wilder is currently riding a two-fight losing streak with a 1-4 resume in his past five fights with many wondering if perhaps the end of his career could be coming soon. Perhaps a chance to earn another hefty payday against a novice like Ngannou would get Wilder motivated again and Cormier knows firsthand how dangerous the Alabama native can be on his best night.
“I thought the most dangerous fight for Francis was Deontay Wilder because Deontay Wilder, who I was on the Olympic team with, is more free and also less technical,” Cormier said. “That’s the nice way to say Deontay Wilder’s boxing style. He’s less technical.
“So the punches may be loopy. He may throw them from odd angles. But he has this unbelievable power that allows you to go to sleep.”
As much as he fears for Ngannou’s well-being in a return to boxing, Cormier understands why he’s doing it because simply put that sport is paying him more.
Ngannou reportedly earned a pair of massive paydays for his fights against Joshua and Tyson Fury, and it’s likely he’ll do the same for a showdown against Wilder.
“You know what this statement tells me? There’s just way more money in boxing,” Cormier said. “The numbers we heard about ‘Big Frank’ when he fought against Tyson Fury was crazy. Then he fights Anthony Joshua. There are guys that go through fighting their entire life boxing hoping to get one of those fights. ‘Big Frank’ got them back to back.
“’Big Frank says he wants to do boxing. Tells me there’s just far more money, especially when every time he boxes, he fights in Saudi Arabia. Guys, you saw what just happened with Jake Paul and Canelo Alvarez. Jake Paul seriously thought he had Canelo then Sheik Turki [Alalshikh] signed Canelo to a deal with [Riyadh Season]. The money is so vast there. The opportunities to make big, life changing money is so big that they can get a guy like Canelo to change course. Imagine the difference of what Francis is making in MMA and what Francis is making in boxing.”
Still, Cormier can’t help but wonder if Ngannou’s payday is worth the risk to the potential damage he might take in a boxing match, especially against someone like Wilder.
“Is that enough to put yourself in a way or a spot where what happened last time could happen again?” Cormier said.
Time will tell if Ngannou’s gamble pays off as he turns his focus towards boxing for his next fight in 2025.