Ranking Francis Ngannou as a boxer

[Lee_]

At one time I followed boxing enough to know this, but now I don't and am going to have to count on Sherdog knowledge.

In posting in the UFC forum, I said I thought Francis would not make the top 200 boxers. Others said that was hyperbole, and that there are a lot of boxers in the top 200 that Francis could smash.

What is the truth? Where would Francis sit in hypothetical world HW rankings?

He's gotten better but doesn't always have the best form.....

 

[PBAC]

would need to see how he hits with gloves on.

In the gif you showed his posture, stance and footwork is all over the place. He'd be decapitated fighting like that in boxing.

After the overhand lunge his left leg is in the back and he throws a left haymaker then starts throwing the right while his right leg in only stepping forward. Immediately after the lunge as he throws that first left he bends his entire spine back while stick his chin in the air. If you get struck like that you not only get cracked in the jaw but will likely fuck up your spine in the process.

Assuming he carries the power through the boxing gloves I think he can conceivably drill his way through some unsuspecting journeymen, but it won't be based on skill.

 

[WklySportsMemes]

He has accomplished nothing in the sport of boxing. Shouldn't have a ranking or be ranked unless his 1st pro fight is an upset against a top guy.
He would be a massive underdog against any known, credible, or ranked HW.

Rankings past a certain point don't matter and aren't really valid even well before you get into the top 100. Of course he could probably beat some glass chin jobbers that have random meaningless place holder triple digit rankings.

I'd be shocked if he could beat any active legit HW with a winning record and who is competitive with other contenders.

Francis has no real pro or armature pedigree/experience. He is old. Relativity inactive even in his own sport of mma. His cardio is even an issue for him at times against smaller guys in his own sport.
Big gloves changes power and technique a lot. So its realistic that even his best attributes are going to be severely handicapped in the ring vs a cage.

 

[JC615]

would need to see how he hits with gloves on.

In the gif you showed his posture, stance and footwork is all over the place. He'd be decapitated fighting like that in boxing.

After the overhand lunge his left leg is in the back and he throws a left haymaker then starts throwing the right while his right leg in only stepping forward. Immediately after the lunge as he throws that first left he bends his entire spine back while stick his chin in the air. If you get struck like that you not only get cracked in the jaw but will likely fuck up your spine in the process.

Assuming he carries the power through the boxing gloves I think he can conceivably drill his way through some unsuspecting journeymen, but it won't be based on skill.

Excellent points. By keeping his chin up, there's a strong chance he would get timed/put on queer street by a competent boxer.

 

[MMALOPEZ]

He is an un ranked 36-37 year old rookie … who any decent hw will want to put him to sleep because there is a group of idiots that would pay them a big purse to fight… if Fury takes an exhibition being an active HW champ he should be stripped … if the fight happens has saudi written all over since fury cannot enter the US

 

[Dr Fong]

At one time I followed boxing enough to know this, but now I don't and am going to have to count on Sherdog knowledge.

In posting in the UFC forum, I said I thought Francis would not make the top 200 boxers. Others said that was hyperbole, and that there are a lot of boxers in the top 200 that Francis could smash.

What is the truth? Where would Francis sit in hypothetical world HW rankings?

He's gotten better but doesn't always have the best form.....

If you think there are 200 HW boxers who would beat Francis, then you are lying about having ever known sh*t about boxing.

There have been plenty of MMA fighters/kickboxers who have had journeyman/can crushing careers in boxing and even been ranked inside the top 20, let alone top 200. None of these guys have the type of power Francis has.

He would brutally murder some random 200th ranked cab driver. That doesn't mean he isn't going to get murdered himself by an actual elite guy.

 

[nonoob]

He'd be decapitated fighting like that in boxing.

Much as his mauling and windmill style looks impressive and can catch an MMA fighter,
Francis is NOT a boxer. His "style", or lack thereof, will get him quickly pummeled.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

If you think there are 200 HW boxers who would beat Francis, then you are lying about having ever known sh*t about boxing.

There have been plenty of MMA fighters/kickboxers who have had journeyman/can crushing careers in boxing and even been ranked inside the top 20, let alone top 200. None of these guys have the type of power Francis has.

He would brutally murder some random 200th ranked cab driver. That doesn't mean he isn't going to get murdered himself by an actual elite guy.

Which MMA fighters have been Top 20 rated in boxing? We'll have to see how effective Francis' power is in boxing gloves. I expect it to be significantly diminished. His cardio is dreadful and that will hurt him a lot in boxing even when scheduled for as little as a 6 or 8 rounder. Nevermind 10 or 12. Then there's his complete lack of defense and fundamentals. Wilder at least tries to get out of the way of punches and knows how to effectively cover-up if necessary to weather a storm. Francis just eats every shot thrown at him like a magnetic field pulling them into his face. Joyce thought he could rely on his durability until he met Zhang. Bad idea.

 

[MMALOPEZ]

Which MMA fighters have been Top 20 rated in boxing? We'll have to see how effective Francis' power is in boxing gloves. I expect it to be significantly diminished. His cardio is dreadful and that will hurt him a lot in boxing even when scheduled for as little as a 6 or 8 rounder. Nevermind 10 or 12. Then there's his complete lack of defense and fundamentals. Wilder at least tries to get out of the way of punches and knows how to effectively cover-up if necessary to weather a storm. Francis just eats every shot thrown at him like a magnetic field pulling them into his face. Joyce thought he could rely on his durability until he met Zhang. Bad idea.

Lol!!!!!!! I have the same question … who is that mma guy ranked in the top 20? Lmao!!!!!

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Lol!!!!!!! I have the same question … who is that mma guy ranked in the top 20? Lmao!!!!!

Lucas Browne once was and that seems to be their go to guy. Despite popping for PEDs and hardly being an "MMA fighter." He only competed in MMA for less than 2 years and simultaneously competed in boxing.

 

[MMALOPEZ]

Lucas Browne once was and that seems to be their go to guy. Despite popping for PEDs and hardly being an "MMA fighter." He only competed in MMA for less than 2 years and simultaneously competed in boxing.

Lol! True … Lucas had 8 mma fights compared to 35 in boxing

 

[Dr Fong]

Which MMA fighters have been Top 20 rated in boxing? We'll have to see how effective Francis' power is in boxing gloves. I expect it to be significantly diminished. His cardio is dreadful and that will hurt him a lot in boxing even when scheduled for as little as a 6 or 8 rounder. Nevermind 10 or 12. Then there's his complete lack of defense and fundamentals. Wilder at least tries to get out of the way of punches and knows how to effectively cover-up if necessary to weather a storm. Francis just eats every shot thrown at him like a magnetic field pulling them into his face. Joyce thought he could rely on his durability until he met Zhang. Bad idea.

There are some obvious names in the top 20-30, and you can easily verify their peak boxrec/alphabet rankings.

To try to argue the point further in a futile effort would would make me the moron by default.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

There are some obvious names in the top 20-30, and you can easily verify their peak boxrec/alphabet rankings.

To try to argue the point further in a futile effort would would make me the moron by default.

They're Top 20/30 rated internationally right now? I don't think so. Alphabet (sanctioning body) rankings are worthless. Those aren't world boxing ratings they're specific to each org and have always been laughable. Nobody cites them unless we're talking about mandatory challengers.

 

[ZOD66]

would need to see how he hits with gloves on.

In the gif you showed his posture, stance and footwork is all over the place. He'd be decapitated fighting like that in boxing.

After the overhand lunge his left leg is in the back and he throws a left haymaker then starts throwing the right while his right leg in only stepping forward. Immediately after the lunge as he throws that first left he bends his entire spine back while stick his chin in the air. If you get struck like that you not only get cracked in the jaw but will likely fuck up your spine in the process.

Assuming he carries the power through the boxing gloves I think he can conceivably drill his way through some unsuspecting journeymen, but it won't be based on skill.

 

[PBAC]

I can do that to punching bags. Also he doesn't need to load up his punch like that. Boxing punches are meant to be instantaneous.

Dunno what's going on with the second ones

 

[zapataxiv]

top 5 of all time
you gotta remember sports and training technique and technology have advanced

plus he hits as hard as a Harrison Ford's favorite escort or something like that

I'd like to see him bs zellenoff in a street boxing match perferably hosted in a semi crowded gym changing room

if N can whether the initial suckers punch Zellenoff might be in trouble

but zellenoff effortlessly beat Wilder and that guy has some serious power

 

[Lee_]

If you think there are 200 HW boxers who would beat Francis, then you are lying about having ever known sh*t about boxing.

There have been plenty of MMA fighters/kickboxers who have had journeyman/can crushing careers in boxing and even been ranked inside the top 20, let alone top 200. None of these guys have the type of power Francis has.

He would brutally murder some random 200th ranked cab driver. That doesn't mean he isn't going to get murdered himself by an actual elite guy.

 

[Goober stoober]

African Wilder

He’s got a big square ass head which I theorize is the best indicator of a great chin and he’s got power you can’t teach, so he has a chance versus anyone with a sus beard.

But it’s doubtful he has the cardio to do anything outside of 3 or 4 rounds. Even that could be generous. He’s built for rush in attacks and I don’t think he’s got enough in the arsenal to stick and move for a pro fight versus any of the guys he’s called out.

 

[Blazeblack]

There have been plenty of MMA fighters/kickboxers who have had journeyman/can crushing careers in boxing and even been ranked inside the top 20

Ok, name them. I don't want to hear about mt/ kickboxers who transitioned, because that is a much more closely related sport. Who are the numerous mma fighters that became contenders in boxing?

 

[Fluffernutter]

He should fight a journeyman like Joey Dawejko and then we can critique him.