Ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou clashed with Tyson Fury and says he is “just getting started” in boxing before his heavyweight fight with Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou faces Joshua in Saudi Arabia on Friday but opted to do his best verbal sparring with former opponent Fury at Wednesday’s news conference.

Joshua took a back seat as Fury reacted to Ngannou’s suggestion he had “struggled” in their October bout.

“I had one win over [Fury] and I want one more,” Ngannou said with a grin.

Fury shouted back that he would face Ngannou in the “octagon” – the UFC’s trademark cage – to which the French Cameroonian replied: “Your only chance is in a boxing ring, with boxing rules.”

Ngannou was the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion when he left the promotion last year.

The 37-year-old made his boxing debut against Fury four months ago and suffered a contentious split-decision loss – but sent shockwaves through the sport by dropping the WBC champion in the third round.

Ngannou and Fury clashed at Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh’s house on Tuesday and the MMA star was in a bullish mood on Wednesday with the Briton in the audience.

“I’m just getting started. I don’t think that [beating Joshua] will make any statement of my career because the road is still long,” he said.

The remarkable possibility remains that Ngannou could fight for a world title in his third boxing bout, should he beat Joshua in what is only his second fight.

“I really think I haven’t shocked the world yet,” he said, adding he is “still learning” the art of boxing.

Joshua, 34, appeared relaxed at Monday’s grand arrivals and a little tetchy at the open workouts the following day.

He was more jovial at the news conference but in what is becoming a theme in AJ fight weeks, the Watford-born man was reluctant to give any soundbites or engage in verbal jabs the closer the bout comes.

Asked for his response on Ngannou saying he will look for a knockout, Joshua succinctly replied: “Let’s go. The best man will always win. It’s not rocket science.”

There was a respectful and light-hearted exchange between the headliners when Ngannou handed his opponent a set of wireless headphones. Joshua often attends news conferences with music playing in just one ear.

Promoter Hearn predicted his fighter will become undisputed champion, with Friday’s winner a potential next opponent for either Oleksandr Usyk or Fury – most likely in 2025.

Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, faces WBC belt-holder Fury in May for the undisputed heavyweight title, with a rematch already agreed.

Source: BBC

It was one of the most arresting spectacles in boxing for some time: Francis Ngannou dancing a jig of pleasure while leaning over a floored and obviously dazed Tyson Fury.

For boxing purists, disaster was brewing. Was a UFC fighter, in his very first boxing match, about to knock out a reigning world heavyweight champion?

Fury got back up and eventually won a much-discussed and unconvincing split decision victory, but Ngannou had made a spectacular entrance into the boxing world.

On Friday, the Franco-Cameroonian has another chance to shake up the established order and prepare for a new showdown with Fury.

Ngannou is back in Saudi Arabia for the second fight of his career, this time against another Briton, former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua.

Much of the pre-fight news assumes a victory for Joshua which would allow him to face Fury, provided that the latter – WBC champion – beats Oleksandr Usyk – WBA, IBF and WBO champion – in their rearranged fight on May 18 which will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since the year 2000.

Ngannou is; however, ready to make headlines in his bid to become a boxing champion so soon after dominating the UFC scene.

“I exposed myself – the next opponent (Joshua) knows what to expect,” Ngannou said upon his arrival in Riyadh. “I’ve lost the element of surprise. So how can I surprise him again? What can I pull out of my sleeve one more time?”

Ngannou exudes a cool and confident air. He may be new to elite boxing, but the sport was his first love during a difficult upbringing in Cameroon, and he said it was only a matter of time before he returned to it.

“At the beginning, it was boxing. I didn’t know MMA. And for more than a decade, I only thought about boxing, I dreamed about boxing,” he said.

“Then even when the opportunity presented itself (in the UFC), it was an opportunity for me to shine, to be a world champion, and then potentially change to transition and come back to boxing. I feel like it was something that I needed, that I had to accomplish, to be at peace with myself.”

Ngannou, 37, fell out with the UFC and UFC president Dana White stripped him of his belt in January last year. Within five months, Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), a rival organization.

However, he has yet to fight in the PFL as he is focusing on boxing. He intends to continue his career in MMA, but alongside boxing, not instead of it.

The big question heading into the Ngannou-Joshua fight – the latest high-profile boxing event in what is quickly becoming the sport’s new home in Saudi Arabia – is: Fury won’t Is he just not prepared well enough? Did Fury simply prepare poorly against Ngannou, thinking he would be easy to beat, but instead finding himself sprawled on the canvas in the third round of a fight that, against all odds, went the distance? Or is Ngannou a true champion and a born pugilist?

The answer should come on Friday, in the final fight for Joshua, who regained his place after two consecutive defeats to Usyk, which cost him his titles and put his career at a crossroads.

Since then, he has won three consecutive fights, but none of them were against elite opponents. His fifth-round stoppage against Otto Wallin in Riyadh in December was a comeback performance, demonstrating his powerful jab and then his renowned power, following disappointing victories against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius.

Ngannou promises to be a much tougher challenge and the prize is huge, with Fury having already called out Joshua to be his next opponent if he gets away with Usyk.

“It’s the fast track to undisputed,” said Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, who is already planning a big-money Joshua-Fury fight that he has failed to secure several times. repeated over the past five years.

As for Joshua, he focuses on the present. “Francis is a hell of a fighter,” he said, “strong, a big hitter and a much better boxer than we all thought he would ever be.”

Source: Africa News

Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for one match for “provoking fans” following the Saudi Pro League win over Al-Shabab.

Al Shabab supporters chanted “Messi” – Ronaldo’s long-term rival Lionel Messi – after Sunday’s 3-2 defeat in Riyadh.

Portugal captain Ronaldo, 39, cupped his hand to his ear and made a gesture to the fans.

He has also been fined 30,000 Saudi Riyals (£6,300) by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).

The SAFF disciplinary and ethics committee said Ronaldo cannot appeal against the decision.

Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but Al-Shabab twice came from behind before Talisca scored an 87th-minute winner.

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr on a free transfer from Manchester United in December 2022 for reportedly the biggest football salary in history.

He has scored 20 goals in 22 league games this season for Al-Nassr, who are second in the table behind Al-Hilal.

Source: BBC

Following the Super Eagles’ triumphant victory over Cameroon at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, attention has shifted to the highly anticipated boxing match between Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua and Cameroon-born fighter Francis Ngannou, colloquially referred to as ‘Nigeria vs Cameroon Part 2.’

While no official belts will be on the line in the March bout, fans from both countries eagerly anticipate the clash, fueled by the desire for national bragging rights after the Eagles’ 2-0 win over the Indomitable Lions in the AFCON round of 16.

The friendly banter and national pride surrounding the recent football victory add an element of revenge for Ngannou, who may seek to avenge Cameroon’s loss in the boxing ring.

On social media, posts reflect a mix of national pride and friendly banter, elevating the significance of this match beyond a typical boxing bout.

Cameroonians voiced their opinions on social media, with one Facebook user warning, “It is Anthony Joshua that will suffer the consequences,” and another stating, “Ngannou will unleash our anger on him.”

The anticipation and banter extend to Nigerian fans as well, with social media users humorously speculating about the outcome. One user humorously suggested, “Somebody say na Anthony Joshua go suffer this beating wey Nigeria dey beat Cameroon.”

Scheduled for March 8 in Saudi Arabia, the ‘Knockout Chaos’ heavyweight bout promises an electrifying showdown, characterised by the added narrative of national pride and rivalry.

As fans engage in playful banter and predictions, the bout is poised to transcend a typical sporting event, capturing the attention and emotions of both nations in what is perceived as a symbolic rematch.

Source: Bsnsports

Six single Nike Air Jordans, worn by the eponymous basketball star in the 1990s, sold Friday for a record $8 million, according to auction house Sotheby’s.

Michael Jordan gave the separate shoes to Chicago Bulls communications executive Tim Hallam, after decisive games that helped the club win six NBA championships from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998.

The purchase price achieved at auction at Sotheby’s in New York is a record for such an unusual offering — and the second highest ever for Michael Jordan collectibles.

The prices reached for the “Dynasty Collection” “will likely never be replicated”, Sotheby’s boasted in a statement that did not disclose the buyer’s identity.

“Today’s record-breaking price is a testament to the GOAT,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, using a popular acronym for “greatest of all time.”

Last April the company, owned by French-Israeli tycoon Patrick Drahi, auctioned a pair of sneakers worn by Jordan in his last championship final with the Chicago Bulls in 1998 for $2.2 million.

That was a record for the shoes, “Bred” (“Black and Red”) Air Jordan XIII, which were signed by the player.

He wore them in Salt Lake City for the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, documented in the Netflix and ESPN documentary “The Last Dance.”

The six shoes sold on Friday were an Air Jordan VI (1991), VII (1992), VIII (1993), XI (1996), XII (1997) and an Air Jordan XIV (1998).

Demand from collectors since 2020-2021 has driven up the prices commanded by such items at auction.

The record for the most expensive jersey in auction history is Michael Jordan’s 1998 final shirt, which went for $10.1 million in September 2022.

It leads Argentine legend Diego Maradona’s World Cup quarter-final shirt from his side’s storied clash against England in 1986, which handily brought in $9.3 million in May 2022.

Source: AFP

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will return to the ring to take on former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Joshua’s promoter made the announcement on Friday (Jan. 05).

37-year-old Cameroonian Ngannou has boxed only once professionally.

Joshua is a 34-year-old Briton who has been world champion twice after winning gold at the 2012 Olympics.

He beat Swede Otto Wallin on December 23rd, to seal his third straight victory last year.

In October, Francis Ngannou scored a stunning knockdown on Tyson Fury but lost his inaugural boxing fight on a split decision.

A press conference has been scheduled on January 15 to reveal the details of the Ngannou-Joshua clash, which is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It will be a 10-round bout, according to reports.

Source: Africa News

Santos, Brazil legend Pele’s former club, have been relegated for the first time in their 111-year history.

A 2-1 home defeat by Fortaleza in their final league match of the season meant they dropped out of Serie A, Brazil’s top flight.

Santos won 12 state titles, six league titles and two Copas Libertadores during their golden era of the 1950s and 60s.

Three-time World Cup-winner Pele died at the age of 82 last year.

Santos, who also produced Brazil’s record scorer Neymar, have suffered financial problems in recent years.

Heading into the final game of the season, America Mineiro, Coritiba and Goias had been relegated.

With Santos level at 1-1, Vasco da Gama – drawing 1-1 with Red Bull Bragantino – occupied the fourth relegation spot in the 20-team division.

But Serginho scored for Vasco in the 82nd minute and a stoppage-time winner from Fortaleza’s Lucero left Santos one point adrift of safety.

Palmeiras were crowned champions for the second season in a row – and 12th in total – thanks to a 1-1 draw at Cruzeiro.

Flamengo and Sao Paulo are the only remaining sides who have never been relegated.

Source: BBC

Four-time Olympic gold medal winner Mo Farah, who was born in Somalia and trafficked to Britain as a child, joined the UN migration agency on Tuesday as its first global goodwill ambassador.

The athletics great, who retired in September aged 40, said he wanted to help people in similar circumstances to overcome their experiences.

Farah won the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres at both the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics in a stellar long-distance running career.

But in July 2022 he revealed that his real name is Hussein Abdi Kahin and he had been illegally trafficked into Britain as a child.

Rather than moving to the UK as a refugee from Somalia with his parents, as previously claimed, Farah revealed he came via Djibouti aged eight or nine with a woman he had never met, was given a false identity, and then made to look after another family’s children.

“No child should ever go through what I did; victims of child trafficking are just children. They deserve to be children. They deserve to play and to be kids,” Farah said.

He was appointed by the International Organization for Migration at the IOM Council, the UN agency’s annual main gathering.

“Becoming a global goodwill ambassador for IOM gives me a chance to help people — people like me — and make changes,” said Farah.

The athletics star wants to use his new platform to raise awareness of issues affecting migrants, including trafficking, and advocate for the power of sport to change lives, especially for women and girls.

“I was able to take the opportunity sport offered me to overcome my experiences as a young boy and show that no matter what we look like or what we sound like, we can achieve and overcome great things,” he said.

Farah said he was forced to do housework and childcare in return for food after being trafficked to London, and, estranged from his true family, would often lock himself in the bathroom in tears.

“A champion on and off the track, and a survivor of human trafficking, he brings true dedication, commitment and drive to IOM’s work, helping millions of people on the move and inspiring us all,” said the agency’s chief Amy Pope.

The IOM has two regional ambassadors: Ghanaian musician Kofi Kinaata and Egyptian actor Asser Yassin.

Source: AFP

WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury beat former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou on a split decision in a non-title fight in Saudi Arabia.

WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury beat former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou on a split decision in a non-title fight in Saudi Arabia on Sunday that almost delivered one of boxing’s biggest upsets.

Fury, unbeaten holder of one of the sport’s most prestigious belts, narrowly avoided a first defeat at the hands of a 37-year-old opponent who had never boxed professionally before but went through the full 10 rounds with some swagger.

Ngannou dropped the Briton to the canvas in round three with a left hook and although the 35-year-old self-styled “Gypsy King” was able to see out the round he had no doubts about what he was up against.

“That definitely wasn’t in the script,” said Fury after two of the judges gave him the win 96-93 and 95-94. The third judge scored it 95-94 in favour of his Cameroon-French opponent.

“He’s a hell of a fighter and a hell of a lot better boxer than we thought he would be. He’s an awkward man and a good puncher and I respect him a lot.

“He’s given me one of my toughest fights of the last 10 years.”

Fury said there was no rematch clause but he would like to fight Ngannou again “down the line” and after an undisputed title fight with Ukraine’s IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The pair are set to meet in Riyadh at a date yet to be announced officially but that both champions said will be Dec. 23.

Usyk, who was in Saudi Arabia to watch his future opponent, said he was ready.

Ngannou vacated his heavyweight belt after a contract dispute with UFC and exited as a free agent in January.

“My training camp was only three and a half months and I came into this with an injury. But I don’t want to give excuses. I will look at what I can do next to improve my game to come back even better,” he said.

“Now I know I can do this…, get ready. The wolf is in the house.”

Source: Hindustan Times