Derek Chisora gives heartfelt speech to Francis Ngannou after knockout loss to Anthony Joshua

09/03/2024 11:06

Derek Chisora shared a touching moment with Francis Ngannou after his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.

‘Del Boy’ has had his fair share of memorable press conference moments.

From throwing a table at Dillian Whyte to exchanging blows with David Haye and Kubrat Pulev.

But when he took to the mic following Joshua and Ngannou’s crossover clash, there was a far more wholesome outcome.

“Francis, I’ve been doing loads of interviews and I came up with a nickname for you,” said Chisora from the media section.

“I call you the Superman of Africa because the way you have come up in the game and everything you have done is amazing for us Africans.

“So the best name for me to give to you is the Superman of Africa because most kids in Africa right now look up to you – and what you have achieved so far is unbelievable.”

Ngannou wasn’t able to get the win on Friday night but his story has inspired millions.

‘The Predator’ started boxing when he was 22 while working in the Cameroonian sand mines.

But it wasn’t until he moved to France at the age of 26 that he realised his dream of becoming a professional combat sportsman.

In the hopes of a better life, Ngannou packed up his stuff and embarked on an arduous 14-month journey to Paris that saw him cross the Sahara Desert and spend time in prison.

While sleeping in an underground parking lot in the French capital he started training at Fernand Lopez’s MMA Factory where he made the transition to mixed martial arts.

After six pro MMA bouts, he was signed by the UFC and five years later he became the company’s heavyweight champion by knocking out future Hall of Famer Stipe Miocic in Las Vegas.

Now, Ngannou is making a name for himself in boxing.

Last October, he stepped into the squared circle for the first time to face lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Few gave him even the slimmest of chances against the ‘The Gypsy King’ but Ngannou ended up giving his far more experienced foe one of the toughest nights of his career.

His second pro-fight with Joshua didn’t quite go to plan.

However, there are still plenty of massive fights for the former UFC heavyweight champion including a blockbuster showdown with Deontay Wilder and, of course, the Fury rematch.