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Tearful Francis Ngannou pays tribute to late son after KO win over Renan Ferreira

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Tearful Francis Ngannou pays tribute to late son after KO win over Renan Ferreira

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Francis Ngannou devoted his Skilled Fighters League (PFL) heavyweight title win over Renan Ferreria to his late son Kobe after successful the ‘Battle of the Giants’ occasion with a first-round knockout.

Ngannou, who was a earlier UFC heavyweight champion, returned to the blended martial arts enviornment for the primary time since making the swap to boxing and his defeat to Anthony Joshua again in March.

The Cameroonian took management of the battle from the beginning with some heavy kicks earlier than dragging his Brazilian opponent to the mat. Ngannou adopted up with a collection of devastating punches and ended the battle with 88 seconds remaining within the opening spherical.

In his post-fight interview the 38-year-old was tearful and emotional as he paid tribute to his son Kobe who died at simply 15 months previous earlier this yr.

Franics Ngannou paid tribute to his late son Kobe after his victory (REUTERS)

“The previous two days had been very robust, filled with emotion, I couldn’t do something with out fascinated by it [Kobe’s passing],” he mentioned.

“I attempted to remain sturdy and inform myself to do the whole lot to maintain transferring but it surely’s onerous. It’s simply onerous. I solely did this battle due to him.

“I needed to battle for him… I hope they will keep in mind his title, as a result of with out Kobe, we wouldn’t be right here tonight, I wouldn’t have fought. Thanks everybody for coming.”

The occasion was designated as a ‘tremendous battle’ and differed from the PFL’s traditional format of an everyday season and playoffs to make sure that belts had been at stake for Ngannou’s return.

Francis Ngannou defeated Renan Ferreira in the first round of the PFL Super Fight in Saudi Arabia

Francis Ngannou defeated Renan Ferreira within the first spherical of the PFL Tremendous Combat in Saudi Arabia (AFP through Getty Photographs)

He is a well-liked champion having risen from childhood poverty in Cameroon to the highest of blended martial arts together with his crowning achievement being his UFC heavyweight title win in March 2021.

As soon as his UFC contract expired, he fought Joshua and Tyson Fury in profitable heavyweight boxing matches earlier than debuting within the PFL in an enormous increase to the model’s competitors with the UFC.

Within the night’s co-main occasion for the PFL Tremendous Fights ladies’s featherweight belt, Brazilians Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco went to warfare over 5 rounds, with the vastly skilled Cyborg rising victorious through unanimous resolution.

Extra reporting from Reuters.

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