Francis Ngannou is set to step back into the boxing ring in March and his head coach, Dewey Cooper, foresees it being step one in what could be the “most incredible year” in combat sports history.
The former UFC heavyweight king shocked the sports world late last year when he nearly defeated boxing superstar Tyson Fury. Heading into the bout, most MMA veterans who faced boxing stars in their sport have consistently failed. However, the Cameroonian goliath defied the odds when he knocked the Englishman down and came up just short by split decision.
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In the follow-up to the legendary moment, the 37-year-old will face heavyweight superstar Anthony Joshua in the main event of a boxing card inside Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Arena. Ngannou will again be the underdog, but due to what he and his coach Dewey Cooper proved against Fury, the cage-fighting veteran will be a very live underdog on March 8.
However, the President of Team Combat League sees even bigger moments on the horizon for his fighter’s schedule in 2024. Including a bout for all the heavyweight titles against the winner of Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk, and his long-awaited return to MMA with the PFL.
Dewey Cooper is hoping Francis Ngannou has three fights in 2024, including his PFL debut
“I don’t think money is Francis’ only motivation. Legacy, championships, and being the pride of your country is more important,” Cooper told Sportsnaut. “Whatever he does, I wish him the best [but] It all starts on March 8th. That’s what matters the most right now because that’s the endeavor we have in front of us and that’s the one we’re focusing on. But imagine this.
“He wins this fight. Tyson Fury somehow beats Usyk, which is not a guarantee. Imagine having the rematch of a fight you know we won in October or September against Tyson Fury. A 12-round fight for all the undisputed titles in boxing,” he continued, “It can’t get any bigger than that. … His Excellency Turki Al-Sheihk already said the winners are fighting each other. We already know we will be fighting the winner of Usyk and Fury.
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“After that, imagine Francis being a former UFC champion, [and] being an undisputed boxing champion [with] all four belts by the end of this year. And then put a cap on it by fighting in the PFL on New Year’s Eve. That would be the most incredible year in the history of fight sports.”
Every heavyweight title will be on the line when Fury takes on Usyk on Feb. 17. Ngannou signed a contract last year with the MMA league the PFL but has yet to make his debut.
Cooper is the president of Team Combat League, a fight sports promotion featuring a team boxing concept with squads representing different cities from around the country. Season two of the league begins on March 28.
