Jake Paul has delivered a scathing assessment of Francis Ngannou's boxing prowess, labelling the former UFC heavyweight champion a "terrible" boxer as rumours swirl about a potential showdown between the two fighters.
Paul's Recovery and Return Plans
The YouTuber-turned-boxer is currently recuperating from a broken jaw he suffered during his bout with Anthony Joshua last year. Despite this setback, Paul has confirmed his intention to return to the ring later this year, signalling his determination to continue his professional boxing career.
Ngannou's Call-Out and Paul's Dismissive Response
After Ngannou publicly called out Paul, the American fighter responded with a blunt critique of his rival's abilities. In an interview with Sky Sports, Paul stated, "I think most recently Francis Ngannou was talking a lot of smack, I think that’s an easy fight for me, I think he’s a terrible boxer." He further added, "I'll go back up to heavyweight and knock him out like Joshua did, render him unconscious."
Paul also highlighted his own performance against Joshua, noting that he lasted longer in the ring than Ngannou did. "He knows I lasted longer than him against Joshua, I didn’t get put out," Paul remarked, suggesting this gives him a psychological edge.
Potential Fight Dynamics
Ngannou was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in the second round of their fight, whereas Paul managed to hold on until the sixth round in his clash with Joshua last December. This contrast in performances has fueled Paul's confidence in a potential matchup with Ngannou.
However, Paul expressed doubts about whether Ngannou would agree to the fight, speculating that "deep down he wouldn’t want to get embarrassed." Despite this, Paul views it as a "fun fight on the list" and remains open to the possibility, pending his recovery from the jaw injury.
Other Opponents on the Horizon
In addition to Ngannou, Paul is also considering a rematch with Tommy Fury, to whom he lost in 2023. Paul's business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, recently commented on this potential bout, saying, "Jake before Joshua had one loss on his record and that was Tommy Fury and I would love for that fight to happen because I think it's a great barometer of how far Jake has come."
Bidarian further noted, "I don't think Fury has developed as much as Jake has over the last three years. Because he hasn't been as focused on boxing." This suggests that Paul's camp believes he has made significant strides since his defeat to Fury.
Promotional Ties and Future Prospects
Interestingly, Paul recently signed Ngannou to his promotion's debut MMA card in May, where the Cameroonian fighter will play a supporting role to Ronda Rousey's cage return. This business relationship adds an intriguing layer to the potential boxing match between the two.
As Paul continues his recovery, he remains focused on his boxing ambitions. "I'm definitely going to keep on fighting," he affirmed, indicating that fans can expect more high-profile bouts in the near future.
