Francis Ngannou is just not focused on stepping in towards Jake Paul.
Subsequent week, Jake Paul is scheduled to face Gervonta Davis in an exhibition boxing match on Netflix that figured to be one of the highly-watched fights of the yr. Nevertheless, this previous weekend, a lawsuit was filed by Davis’ ex-girlfriend Courtney Rossel, accusing the boxer of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional misery, throwing that combat into jeopardy.
Now, it seems that Paul and his promotion, Most Priceless Promotions, are searching for potential replacements, with studies suggesting they’ve reached out to former UFC fighters Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz. On Monday, Ngannou confirmed that Paul’s crew had reached out, however that he turned them down.
“No, there’s no such factor occurring,” Ngannou advised TMZ Sports activities. “Mainly, how can they go from Gervonta Davis to Francis Ngannou? Gervonta Davis is a improbable boxer and is a one-shot knockout artist, however come on. We’re means totally different. It is senseless. Gervonta Davis, you come, you say, ‘OK, the scale distinction can degree up.’ [But] at this level, for me, it is senseless.
“Sure, they reached out the opposite day and advised me how they want a alternative for Gervonta, and after I listened, I wasn’t getting it, and I mentioned, ‘OK, what can I do for you?’ They mentioned, ‘We’re searching for a alternative,’ however I nonetheless didn’t get it. ‘OK, what precisely can I do for you?’ He was like, ‘We’re desirous about you to combat Jake to exchange Gervonta.’ ‘Which Jake?’ I used to be so confused. I wasn’t anticipating that in any respect.
“I’m like, ‘No, bro. Come on. Don’t disrespect me like that.’”
And apparently it’s a matter of precept. Although a combat towards Paul would possible be enormously profitable for Ngannou with presumably tens of millions of viewers on Netflix, “The Predator” says he doesn’t care about that.
“They even got here out after and mentioned, ‘What if the numbers are good?’” Ngannou mentioned. “He despatched some numbers, and I’m like, ‘It’s not in regards to the quantity.’ If it was in regards to the quantity, I might let you know. I’m simply not .’ He is senseless for me. He’s not what I’m taking a look at proper now.”
Paul has made a profession out of boxing former MMA fighters, however Ngannou could be an enormous step up in competitors.
Not solely does Ngannou have his personal boxing expertise, having fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua within the squared circle, however he would even be the primary Paul opponent who was larger than the previous Disney star. However whereas this may be an enormous step for Paul, Ngannou views the provide as a step again for himself.
“The combat is senseless,” Ngannou mentioned. “That’s what I feel. That’s my place. …
“I feel it’s disrespectful. What flattering? Come on. I don’t know, I don’t see it that means. Perhaps I’m mistaken, however that’s not the way in which that I see it. However I’ve little interest in that.”
Ngannou has not competed since October 2024, when he completed Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut.
