Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has issued a dismissive response to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who recently branded the MMA star a "terrible boxer" in a public call-out. Ngannou, set to make his highly anticipated return to the cage on May 16, shrugged off Paul's comments, attributing them to the promoter's typical behaviour.
Jake Paul's Scathing Verdict and Call-Out
Jake Paul, who is currently recovering from a broken jaw sustained in his defeat by Anthony Joshua last December, has repeatedly targeted Ngannou for a potential boxing match. In an interview with Sky Sports, Paul outlined his plans to return to the ring before year-end, listing Ngannou among his possible opponents. He asserted that Ngannou would be an "easy fight," citing his own durability against Joshua as evidence of superiority.
"I think he's a terrible boxer. I'd maybe want to go back up to heavyweight and knock him out, like Joshua did, and render him unconscious," Paul stated, adding that Ngannou might avoid the fight to prevent embarrassment.
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Ngannou's Coy and Unbothered Response
When questioned about Paul's remarks during an interview with Ariel Helwani, Ngannou remained notably unruffled. He dismissed the taunts as characteristic of Paul's persona, indicating that such comments no longer irritate him as they once did.
"Let's just say Jake is just being Jake. I don't know what to say about it, he has always been like that. This doesn't annoy me but what annoyed me was mostly back in November but I know he's just being Jake," Ngannou explained.
Despite the ongoing speculation, Ngannou has not committed to a fight with Paul. In a separate conversation with TMZ, he hinted at a desire to physically confront Paul, stating, "I just feel like I need to give him some slaps. That’s just how I feel, you know, like slapping him off."
Upcoming Fight and Promotion Dynamics
Ngannou is scheduled to face Philipe Lins in the co-main event of Ronda Rousey's comeback fight, which will be streamed on Netflix. Interestingly, the event is promoted by Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, adding a layer of complexity to their public feud. This arrangement highlights the intertwined nature of modern combat sports, where promotional roles and fighter rivalries often overlap.
As both athletes navigate their respective recoveries and career trajectories, the possibility of a future clash remains a topic of intense discussion among fans and analysts. Ngannou's focus, however, appears firmly on his imminent MMA return, while Paul continues to vocalise his ambitions in the boxing world.
