Ryan Garcia is not optimistic about Francis Ngannou’s chances against the top heavyweight boxers.
There has been a lot of back and forth between the sports of MMA and boxing recently. The trend has been set that many mixed martial arts fighters have been transitioning over to boxing when their career hit the tail end. One man who is trying to follow suit is Francis Ngannou. Ngannou is not retired from MMA, instead, he has decided to take a planned break and is looking to pursue an opportunity in boxing.
Ngannou left the UFC in order to search for a big-money opportunity against some of the best boxers at heavyweight. In doing so, he burned his bridges with the UFC and is now banking on a big fight with either Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, or Deontey Wilder. Ngannou believes that he can hang with these professionals and thinks he can beat them at their own game. Ryan Garcia, a multi-time boxing champ, isn’t so sure.
Ryan Garcia hopes Francis Ngannou gets paid because he doesn’t see him winning
Ryan Garcia is heading into possibly the biggest fight of his career. He will be taking on Gervonta Davis in April. He is undefeated at 23-0 and has been boxing since he was a child. It is safe to say that Garcia knows what it takes to be successful in the squared circle. He spoke recently with UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett about the chances of Francis Ngannou in the ring.
“It’s gonna be hard or anybody getting into a new sport or vice versa boxing, somebody going into MMA, you know, it’s going to be tough. I think it’s gonna be tough for him. I know he’s a one-of-a-kind athlete, obviously that’s why he has the opportunity to go in there and get a fight with some of the biggest fighters but like I said, these are two different sports,” he said. “If you don’t understand the little aspects of it, you’re going to be in trouble. If you think you’re just gonna land a punch on anybody, it don’t work like that.”
Garcia wants to see Ngannou succeed but knows the reality of making the switch from MMA to boxing. The appeal right now is two of the best in different sports going up against each other. This concept of MMA fighters moving to box was brought on by Jake Paul and what he is doing in the ring. This kind of bout pays and fans what to see it so Garcia hopes Ngannou makes out well.
“I just hope he gets paid good because I don’t think he beats any of those guys. I think that he could get hurt by Deontay Wilder,” he said. “I think all of them can knock him out, but I do want him to get paid so I wish the best for him, that gets the best deal.”
Ngannou believes that a big money fight is in the future for him. He wants to have a boxing match and then has discussed returning to MMA. His time at the UFC is finished for good but there are other organizations that are interested in signing him.
