Francis Ngannou 'scares' Thierry Henry with menacing message ahead of Anthony Joshua fight
05/03/2024 13:14
Thierry Henry was left quaking in his boots after receiving a menacing message from Francis Ngannou.
The Cameroonian MMA star takes on Anthony Joshuathis Friday in Saudi Arabia.
He will be hoping to prove that his stellar display against Tyson Fury was not a fluke by pulling off a major upset against the former two-time unified heavyweight champion.
Ahead of fight night, Ngannou joined Sky Sports to talk about the crossover clash and took the opportunity to send a message to Arsenal and France football icon Henry, who was on broadcast duties on Monday night.
“Hey Titi, I hope you are doing well and I hope Anthony Joshua is not your friend,” Ngannou chuckled.
“Because I’m going after him on Friday night. Salut, mon pote (Hi, buddy).”
When the cameras crossed back to the studio, a wide-eyed Henry let out a long exhale before saying: “Hey, I was scared then.
“I mean they ask him a question about Anthony Joshua and he says ‘I’m going to take his soul’. Who says that?
“He’s a great guy though his story is outstanding. He has come a long way.”
Ngannou’s journey to the top of combat sports has certainly been a remarkable one.
‘The Predator’ was working in the Cameroonian sand mines from the age of 10 but always had ambitions of achieving more.
In the hopes of a better life, Ngannou packed up his stuff and embarked on an arduous 14-month journey to France that saw him cross the Sahara Desert and spend time in prison.
While sleeping in an underground parking lot in Paris he started training at Fernand Lopez’s MMA Factory.
Ngannou went on to reach the UFC in only his seventh professional MMA outing after winning five of his first six bouts.
Notable victories over Alistair Overeem, Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos followed as Ngannou established himself as a top contender in the glamour division.
Just over five years after his company debut he won the UFC heavyweight title from future Hall of Famer Stipe Miocic – and the rest is history.
He is now aiming to win a world title in boxing.
