Daniel Cormier TV - Daniel Cormier REACTS to Francis Ngannou RETURN TO BOXING after BRUTAL KNOCKOUT vs. Anthony Joshua

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Daniel Cormier TV - Daniel Cormier REACTS to Francis Ngannou RETURN TO BOXING after BRUTAL KNOCKOUT vs. Anthony Joshua
Release Date: February 16, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

---

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the focus shifts to the high-stakes world of combat sports, specifically addressing Francis Ngannou's recent decision to return to boxing following his dramatic knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. The discussion delves deep into Ngannou's motivations, the financial allure of boxing, and the potential risks associated with his transition from Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) back to the boxing ring.

---

Francis Ngannou's Transition Back to Boxing

Timestamp [02:18]

The conversation begins with an overview of Francis Ngannou's announcement about his intent to return to boxing. Despite his evident satisfaction during his tenure in MMA, Ngannou expresses a strong desire to re-enter the boxing arena:

"I want to go for boxing. You know what this statement tells me, guys, there's just way more money in boxing." [02:35]

Ngannou acknowledges that while MMA is a sport he understands well, the financial incentives in boxing are substantial, prompting his shift in focus.

---

Financial Implications of Boxing vs. MMA

Timestamp [03:10]

The host analyzes the stark financial differences between boxing and MMA, highlighting how boxing offers potentially life-altering earnings. Historical context is provided by referencing big-money fights such as Francis Ngannou's bout against Tyson Fury and his subsequent match with Anthony Joshua:

"The money is so vast there. The opportunities to make big, life-changing money are so big that they can get a guy like Canelo to change course." [04:00]

This comparison underscores the allure of boxing's lucrative nature, which often attracts top talent seeking substantial financial rewards.

---

Analysis of Past and Upcoming Fights

Timestamp [04:45]

The discussion moves to Ngannou's previous fights, particularly his close encounter with Tyson Fury and his performance against Ferreira upon returning to MMA:

"When Francis started doing fighting or boxing, he was always mentioned amongst those guys like Deontay Wilder, the Furies, the Joshua's." [06:00]

The host expresses admiration for Ngannou's prowess while also expressing concerns about his readiness for another high-profile boxing match.

---

Challenges and Risks in Transitioning Back to Boxing

Timestamp [06:30]

A critical examination is made regarding Ngannou's preparedness for the boxing ring, especially against formidable opponents like Deontay Wilder:

"He can't simulate that. So every time ... he looked lost. And that's what's concerning to me." [07:15]

The host points out that Ngannou's extensive experience in MMA doesn't fully prepare him for the defensive and strategic nuances of boxing. The inability to clinch or find safety when hurt, common in boxing, presents significant risks:

"How do you simulate that? How do you prepare?" [07:50]

There's an expressed fear that Ngannou might face another devastating knockout if unprepared for the specific demands of boxing defense.

---

Potential Fight with Deontay Wilder and Its Implications

Timestamp [08:14]

Looking ahead, the possibility of a match between Ngannou and the powerful Deontay Wilder is discussed. The host speculates on the outcomes and the inherent dangers:

"When Deontay Wilder punches, ... somebody's gonna get knocked out." [10:00]

While acknowledging Ngannou's formidable strength and "granite chin," the host remains apprehensive about the potential for another brutal knockout scenario, emphasizing the physical and psychological toll such a fight could impose on Ngannou.

---

Conclusion: Balancing Ambition with Caution

The episode concludes with a nuanced perspective on Ngannou's career choices. While his ambition and drive to capitalize on boxing's financial benefits are commendable, there is a clear call for caution. The host hopes that Ngannou and his team can adequately prepare him to navigate the unique challenges of boxing to avoid repeating past setbacks.

"I just hope that they can find a way to get him prepared for the bad if it comes." [11:30]

The overarching message underscores the delicate balance between seizing lucrative opportunities and ensuring personal safety and longevity in the sport.

---

Notable Quotes

• "I want to go for boxing. You know what this statement tells me, guys, there's just way more money in boxing." — Speaker [02:35]
• "The money is so vast there. The opportunities to make big, life-changing money are so big that they can get a guy like Canelo to change course." — Speaker [04:00]
• "He can't simulate that. So every time ... he looked lost. And that's what's concerning to me." — Speaker [07:15]
• "When Deontay Wilder punches, ... somebody's gonna get knocked out." — Speaker [10:00]
• "I just hope that they can find a way to get him prepared for the bad if it comes." — Speaker [11:30]

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers an insightful exploration into Francis Ngannou's strategic pivot back to boxing. Through a blend of financial analysis, fight history, and personal concerns, the discussion provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in such a significant career move. For fans of combat sports, this episode serves as a thought-provoking examination of the interplay between ambition, opportunity, and the inherent risks of high-stakes competition.

Transcript

[Nikki Glaser]

You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Acquired card has no cash access and expires in six months. Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn [e-mail] credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report this is Nikki.

Glaser from the Nikki Glaser Podcast. Have you guys seen this new commercial from Stand up to All Hate? It's basically Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady going back and forth with reasons that they hate each other. But then when you really listen to them, the reasons for the hate are just so stupid. I don't know. This. This commercial really got me. It's a strong reminder that hate in our country continues to be out of control. So join us at iHeart in standing up to it. If you see hate, speak up. Call it out. Your voice is a powerful tool in this fight. You can learn more by following OTs upwithhate.

[Unknown Speaker]

Lowez knows that free is just better. That's why Milo's Rewards is free. To join as a member, you earn points towards Milo's money on eligible purchases, get exclusive free gifts, and earn free shipping at Silver Key status, all on top of weekly member only deals. Don't wait. Join Milo's Rewards for free today and start saving more Lowe's we help you save Loyalty Program Subject to terms and conditions details@lowe's.com terms subject to change the volume.

All right, guys. Hey, we just finished the first week of the Ultimate Fighter, so I may not have been as into the news as I should have been, but when speaking to the Sportsbook Review, our boy Francis Ngannou has made it known what his intentions are and what he wants to do next. And I don't know if I should say, not surprising because he seemed happy when he was back in mma. But you know, he's going back to boxing. He said, I will do boxing next. I want that. I want to. I'm not done with boxing. It's not that MMA is easy. It's a sport that I understand better, I have more experience in. But I say I want to go for boxing. You know what this statement tells me, guys, there's just way more money in boxing. You know the numbers. We heard about Big Frank when he fought against Tyson. Fury was crazy. Then he fights Anthony Joshua. Guys. There are guys that go through fighting their entire life, boxing, hoping to get one of those fights. Big Frank got him back to back. Now we saw what happened in the Joshua fight. Now we'll get into that a little bit later. As to why I disagree with it. But Big Frank says he wants to do boxing. Tells me there's just far more money. Especially when every time he boxes, he fights in Saudi Arabia. Guys, you saw what just happened with Jake Paul and Canelo Alvarez. Jake Paul seriously thought he had Canelo. Then Chic Turkey signed Canelo to a deal with the. The Saudi fun. I don't know what it's called, but it's the boxing authority, right? The money is so vast there. The opportunities to make big, life changing money is so big that they can get a guy like Canelo to change course. Imagine the difference between what Francis is making in MMA and and what Francis is making in boxing. But even with that being said, is that enough to put yourself back in a way or a spot where what happened last time could happen again? Francis went on to say, because there's an 80% chance that somebody will go to sleep. Francis said it will be one or the other when talking to MMA fighting. He said maybe not in his past two fights, but Deontay is known as a guy that knocks everybody out or tries to knock you out. I'm going against that guy and I myself can knock someone out. Deep inside me there is a little bit of an ego. Like I know I hit harder. This is Francis speaking about Deontay Wilder. He said from my experience that we will both have that ego. We will both want to prove no, it's me who's the biggest hitter between the two. Those sorts of conversations are popping up around a little bit. And even though you think you don't care about it, it sticks somewhere in your mind. This is Francis talking. You know, when Francis started doing fighting or boxing, he always was mentioned amongst those guys. The Deontay Wilders, the Furies, the Joshua's. I always said, and I will never change this I thought that the safest fight was Anthony Joshua because he can be a bit hesitant at times or in most cases. And I thought the most dangerous fight for Francis was Deontay Wilder, because Deontay Wilder, who I was on the Olympic team with, is more free and he's also less technical. That, that's, that's the nice way to say Deontay's Wilder's boxing style. He's less technical, so the punches may be loopy, he may throw them from odd angles, but he has this unbelievable power that allows you to go to sleep. And I thought that a, a, a technician, a Fury, a Joshua. There were people picking Francis over Joshua, and I love Francis, but not to insult him. Anthony Joshua felt so less of a threat that he, who is traditionally one of the most passive boxers in the world for heavyweight champion, went after Francis. He didn't feel the threat because of the lack of experience that Francis had in boxing. So, sure, he's going to make a boatload of money. He always does. But at what point do you go? Because if you ask me, it would seem like he's up against it again and maybe, maybe he's just the biggest, baddest man on the planet, like we all believe, and he doesn't care that he's up against it. And he wants to go and prove everyone wrong like he did the first time when he fought Tyson Fury. And he fought him to a very close fight. But we cannot ignore the visuals of what we saw the last time, especially when he came back to MMA and fought so well. When he left boxing after getting knock knocked out the way he did, everybody was like, okay, this Francis Ngannou in boxing thing was fun. Let's see if he still has it in mixed martial arts. Comes back and fights Ferreira and he looks amazing. He looked like he could still be the best mixed martial arts heavyweight in.

[Nikki Glaser]

The world.

[Unknown Speaker]

But it can't be. Come back to MMA to regain some sort of momentum and take it back to boxing. No, granted, he has that platform and he has the right to do whatever he wants. But as a person that considers Francis a friend, it's concerning because I don't want to see him get knocked out. And that is such a possibility when, when he's fighting right in boxing and he's comfortable, he does really, really well. Here's where the problem starts. And this is what happened in the last fight when he knocked down Tyson Fury. And we all went crazy because we're all rooted for Francis. I swear to God, we're all rooting for Francis, he. He looked like he belonged. The only time he looked like he didn't belong was when he got hurt. Because when he got hurt. There are things that boxers do that we don't as mixed martial arts fighters, because we never find ourselves in those positions when we're hurt and fighting. We either shoot, we go to the ground, we try to find safety. You can't do that in boxing. The boxers will grab onto you, hold on to you. They just constantly clinch. When Francis was hurt by Joshua, he didn't even clinch. It was so unfamiliar. And you know what the biggest issue with that is? He can't simulate that. Because I don't know that there's anybody in the gym that could hurt him to the point that he needs to clinch. There's no one in the gym that could hurt him to the point that he needs to clinch. He can't simulate it. So every time or if he gets hurt, it's the first time we don't see him hurt. He's got a granite chin. He's big, he's powerful. People don't hurt Francis Ngannou. But when it happened in the fight, he looked lost. And that's what's concerning to me because I know there will be moments in that fight with Deontay Wilder, the way that he punches, where he's going to need to find safety. How do you simulate that? How do you prepare? So, guys, hats off to Francis. He has found an ability to make money hand over fists. And I mean millions and millions and millions, and he's going to collect millions of dollars again. What's the risk? I hope that Francis and Eric Nixik, who is the man who is going to train him up and get him prepared, Dewey is going to get him prepared. They're going to have him ready. I just hope that they can find a way to get him prepared for the bad if it comes. Because we've never seen him deal with the bad until we saw him deal with the bad, and we saw how bad that went. I don't want to see my buddy like that again. And honestly, there's a possibility that happens when you fight a guy like Deontay Wilder. He hits that hard, who wants to go fight? It's like 80. Somebody's gonna get knocked out. I don't want to get knocked out. I never want to get knocked out. Maybe they're just different men than I am. So, guys, enjoy your weekend. Thanks for the support. I love each and every one of you guys. And see you next week. I Promise I'm gonna be more on it. I might put a video out every day next week. I'm back. I'm back. I think I got it figured out. Look, I am holding my microphone on top of a. On top of a. I think it's called an encyclopedia or something. Yeah, this also has an encyclopedia. So holding on encyclopedia till next time guys. Like subscribe and tell your friends about my YouTube channel. Peace.

Some might say homes.com is the best home shopping site. But why? Could it be their sleek, beautiful design, ad free interface, a distraction, free search is certainly a breath of fresh air.

[Nikki Glaser]

Or.

[Unknown Speaker]

Or maybe it's their in depth school info. Perfect for parents wanting the best for their kids. With district details and reviews from multiple sources, they've got you covered. Or Perhaps it's the homes.com is the only site that always connect you directly with the listing agent who knows the home best Is home shopping the way it should be? Homes.com we've done your homework.

[Nikki Glaser]

This is Nikki Glaser from the Nikki Glaser podcast. Have you guys seen this new commercial from Stand up to All Hate? It's basically Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady going back and forth with reasons that they hate each other. But then when you really listen to them, the reasons for the hate are just so stupid. I don't know. This commercial really got me. It's a strong reminder that hate in our country continues to be out of control. So join us at iHeart in standing up to it. If you see hate, speak up. Call it out. Your voice is a powerful tool in this fight. You can learn more by following ot'supwithhate.

[Unknown Speaker]

Oh, oh, oh, oh.

[Nikki Glaser]

Righty. Shop Superstart Premium, Extreme or platinum batteries at O'Reilly Auto Parts and get up to a $15 gift card after rebate o reward. Members can also get a $5 reward with their battery purchase for power, performance and reliability. Choose super start only at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

[Unknown Speaker]

Oh, oh, oh. O'Reilly Auto Parts.

[Nikki Glaser]

Don't miss real life amigos Wilmer Valderrama and Freddy Rodriguez in their new podcast Dos Amigos, where they have candid conversations with special guests about anything and everything. Join them in Wilmer's speakeasy for genuine moments, laughter and a toast to good times. Remember hearing this commercial. Are you between the age of 14 and 16 years old? Do you think you got it takes to be a TV personality and commercials and, you know, Saturday morning shows? Listen to those amigos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.