Francis Ngannou's Future: Boxing or MMA?

The great debate surrounds whether Francis Ngannou should continue his pursuit in the boxing ring or return to his roots in mixed martial arts (MMA).

Ngannou's Performance Against Wilder: The Turning Point

The answer to this question lies in Ngannou's performance against Deontay Wilder, a highly skilled but under-trained heavyweight.

The Big 3 in heavyweight boxing—Fury, Wilder, and AJ—offer a comparative study in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. Sergey Fury is a natural born fighter with great ring smarts, but lacks conditioning and power. Donovan 'Taker' Wilder has the potential to be one of the hardest hitters but his underwhelming training regimen often hampers his ability to change his game plan. Tyson 'cente' AJ is in the best shape with power levels somewhere between Fury and Wilder, but his chin and decision-making under pressure are his biggest weaknesses.

Ngannou's Responses: Fury and AJ Showcases

Ngannou has faced two out of the three contenders, with results as follows:

Against Fury: Ngannou went the distance, nearly winning the fight and giving Fury trouble throughout. Against AJ: Ngannou received a quick and painful boxing lesson from Jingye Wu.

The intriguing aspect is that if Ngannou were to face Wilder, there’s a possibility he might last longer, considering Wilder's careless training habits. In contrast, AJ likely had a clear plan and anticipated Ngannou's moves, leading to Ngannou's defeat. Wilder, focusing on the big right hand, will likely keep Ngannou on the defensive.

Boxing or MMA: The Financial Incentive

Ngannou's boxing prowess and earnings potential make the decision a no-brainer. Ngannou demonstrated he can outbox the best—much to his advantage in the boxing ring. Not only does Ngannou have the capability to make more money in boxing compared to MMA, but his goal is primarily to earn as much as possible and avoid any long-term injury.

MMA fighters often proclaim their intentions to prove themselves the best in their sport while also aiming for financial stability and a quick exit. Given Ngannou's history, it's more logical for him to follow the money and stay in boxing.

Conclusion

With his proven skills and significant earning potential, it's highly likely that Francis Ngannou will continue his journey in the boxing ring, maximizing his career and ensuring financial security.