Francis Ngannou Says Tiredness Played A Role In Loss To Anthony Joshua

Francis Ngannou says he didn’t feel like himself backstage or in the ring against Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou made his pro boxing debut last October when he lost a split decision to Tyson Fury. He was then booked to fight Anthony Joshua in his return, and many thought the former UFC heavyweight champion had a chance to win.

However, Anthony Joshua ran through him as he knocked Ngannou down twice, and put him out cold in the second round.

Now, days after the loss, Francis Ngannou took to Instagram Live to reflect on the loss and says he felt tired backstage.

“Leading up to that fight, it wasn’t my day,” Ngannou said on Instagram Live. “I do not mean the result would have been different, but it wasn’t my day. At any moment of the day, I felt like I wasn’t good to go. Even in the locker room, trying to warm up, it wasn’t going well. I was falling asleep. I was sweating, but I was falling asleep. That’s why I took some time out for myself, some time to reflect on everything that happened to me. Heads up to Anthony Joshua, they did everything right.

Heads up to my team, too. We did everything properly, but I didn’t execute the plan because I didn’t feel present. I am not done yet. The only thing missing here was time. I will take some time for myself to chill, then come back to training to get ready for another challenge,” Ngannou added.

Although Francis Ngannou did feel tired, Anthony Joshua put on a beautiful performance against the former UFC champ to prove the difference in levels between the two.

Do you think we will see Francis Ngannou box again?