RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 21: Mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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HIGHLIGHTS:
- Francis Ngannou reveals surprising reaction to Jake Paul’s recent fight proposal that left the former UFC champion feeling disrespected
- The heavyweight contender explains why being considered as a replacement fighter crossed a line he wasn’t willing to accept
- Ngannou’s perspective on the matchmaking approach raises questions about how high-profile boxing negotiations should be handled
Francis Ngannou says he was insulted by Jake Paul and his team attempting to arrange a fight with him to replace Gervonta Davis. And that seems a little weird. Paul’s fight with Davis is falling apart thanks to the latter’s most recent legal issues.
The Paul-Davis fight was scheduled for November 14 on Netflix in Miami, but The Ring’s Mike Coppinger has said Tank is expected to withdraw amidst the latest domestic violence allegations.
Paul is looking for a replacement and according to Ngannou, the influencer-turned-fighter called him to gauge his interest. To put it plainly, Ngannou said he was not interested. But he didn’t seem to have an issue with the money. His issue was with being seen as a potential replacement for Davis in general.
What Exactly Did Ngannou Say About Paul’s Offer?
Here is the excerpt of the interview posted by TMZ h/t Happy Punch.
“How can they go from like Gervonta Davis to Francis Ngannou,” the former UFC and current PFL SuperFights champion said. “Come on, like we are way different in everything, it makes no sense. It makes no sense. They just reached out the other day and tell me how they need a replacement for Gervonta. Then I say, okay, what can I do for you? He said, yeah, we’re looking for a replacement, but I still [didn’t] get it. I was like, okay, then what exactly can I do for you? Like, we would think about you. I’m like, what? I’m like, who’s Jake? I was so confused. I’m like, no, bro, come on. Don’t disrespect me like that. He sent out some number. I’m like, it’s not about the number. I’m just not interested. It makes no sense for me.”
The reporter asked Ngannou if the offer was flattering. “I think it’s disrespectful instead,” Ngannou replied. “Why would it be flattering?”
Why Did Francis Ngannou Feel Disrespected?
The crux of Ngannou’s frustration seems to stem from being viewed as an interchangeable replacement option. For Ngannou, it appears the idea that he could simply slot into a fight originally designed for someone like Davis—a lighter, faster boxer with a completely different profile—didn’t make sense and felt like a slight to his standing in combat sports.
Does Ngannou-Paul Actually Make More Sense?
Ngannou is either not being completely forthcoming or perhaps a bit delusional. A fight between him and Paul makes a ton more sense than the one that was already planned. Him and Paul are closer from a weight class and experience standpoint, with the relation to professional boxing.
While Ngannou is not the proven draw that Tank is, it could be argued a fight between him and Paul might generate more buy-in from boxing purists–for whatever that’s worth in 2025. As it is, that’s a fight we probably won’t see any time soon.