Francis Ngannou’s Reaction to Jake Paul’s Fight Proposal
Francis Ngannou has voiced his irritation over Jake Paul reaching out for a potential fight, branding the move as “disrespectful.” Paul, who rose to fame as a YouTuber before transitioning into professional boxing, recently saw his fight scheduled for November 14 against Gervonta Davis fall through. The bout had already attracted attention due to the significant weight difference, as Davis competes at 135 pounds while Paul generally fights around 200 pounds.
Ngannou’s Decline and Confusion
In seeking a new opponent, Paul reportedly contacted Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion known for his impressive stature, having recently fought at about 256 pounds. This weight is notably above Paul’s, as Ngannou weighs approximately 120 pounds more than Davis. Ngannou confirmed to TMZ that he was approached for a match against Paul but firmly declined, stating,
No, there is no such thing happening.
In a rather perplexed tone, Ngannou reflected on the inconsistency of the matchmaking process, saying,
How can they go from Gervonta Davis to Francis Ngannou? Davis is an exceptional fighter known for his knockout power. The weight disparity here makes no sense. When I was contacted, they mentioned needing a replacement for Gervonta, but I couldn’t grasp their reasoning.
He elaborated on the confusion in discussions, recalling his reaction:
I was like, okay, what exactly can I do for you? They suggested I might fight Jake, and I responded, ‘No, bro, come on. Don’t disrespect me like that.’ It’s not about the number; I’m just not interested. This doesn’t make sense.
Paul’s Response and Fight Records
In response to Ngannou’s remarks, Paul retaliated on social media, suggesting Ngannou was intimidated, saying,
Dear Francis – just say you already got humiliated in boxing and are scared to lose to Jake Paul. I accept that. You are light work my friend. Stuck in mud.
Paul boasts an impressive record of 12 victories in 13 boxing matches, including a notable win against legendary fighter Mike Tyson. Ngannou transitioned from UFC, where he held the heavyweight title, to boxing, making headlines by dropping Tyson Fury in their bout, although he ultimately lost by decision. Following his boxing debut, Joshua knocked out Ngannou. Meanwhile, Paul has voiced interest in a future fight against Joshua, another significant name in the heavyweight division.
