Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, will be changing his training location for his upcoming boxing match against Anthony Joshua. Ngannou’s top coach, Dewey Cooper, revealed in a video interview with ESPN that they will be training in Saudi Arabia. This change in scenery is a significant departure from their usual training grounds at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.
Ngannou’s training team is expected to remain the same, but the location will be different. While the boxing camp for his bout against Tyson Fury took place in Las Vegas, Ngannou and Cooper will now travel to Saudi Arabia directly from London, where they will participate in a news conference with Joshua. This decision was primarily driven by logistical reasons, as they wanted to avoid losing valuable training time by flying back and forth between the U.S. and England.
To ensure a seamless transition, Ngannou and his team have already made arrangements in Saudi Arabia. They have secured accommodations, a fully equipped gym, and training partners for Ngannou’s camp. Eric Nicksick, another top coach from Xtreme Couture, is set to join Ngannou in Saudi Arabia later in February. This strategic planning showcases Ngannou’s commitment to preparing and performing at his best for the highly anticipated fight against Joshua.
In his pro boxing debut, Ngannou faced Tyson Fury, widely regarded as the best heavyweight boxer in the world. Ngannou made history with his impressive performance, nearly defeating Fury in a close bout. Despite dropping Fury during the fight and having many believe he deserved the victory on the scorecards, Ngannou lost via split decision. This debut showcased Ngannou’s potential and solidified his position as one of the most promising talents in the boxing world.
Ngannou’s departure from the UFC earlier this year was motivated by his desire to pursue boxing. He subsequently signed a lucrative deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) for MMA. The opportunity to face Fury in Saudi Arabia was a dream come true for Ngannou, elevating his profile and setting the stage for his upcoming match against Joshua.
Ngannou’s impressive performance against Fury has led to an even more high-profile boxing match against Anthony Joshua. If not for his bout against Ngannou, Joshua would have faced Deontay Wilder this year. Ngannou’s journey to this point has been nothing short of a whirlwind, and his willingness to take on top-tier opponents adds excitement to the heavyweight division.
Dewey Cooper, in his role as the president of boxing’s Team Combat League, highlighted the serendipitous nature of Ngannou’s upcoming fight against Joshua. Cooper mentioned how the “fight gods” and the forces of entertainment came together to make this match happen. It was an unexpected opportunity that arose from Ngannou’s desire to box and Joshua’s search for an opponent.
Francis Ngannou’s decision to train in Saudi Arabia for his boxing match against Anthony Joshua brings an exciting change to his camp. With the momentum from his impressive performance against Tyson Fury, Ngannou is ready to take on Joshua and further establish his position in the boxing world. The strategic decision to train in Saudi Arabia showcases Ngannou’s dedication and commitment to his craft. The stage is set for an intense and highly anticipated showdown between two heavyweight powerhouses.
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