Francis Ngannou’s Shocking Confession: ‘I Had Doubts’ Before Tyson Fury Fight, Reveals His Biggest Fear

Francis Ngannou shocked the combat sports world when he stepped into the boxing ring against Tyson Fury, one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Expected by many to be outclassed, Ngannou instead delivered a performance for the ages, knocking Fury down and arguably doing enough to win.

Yet, in a jaw-dropping revelation, Ngannou has admitted that he wasn’t confident going into the fight. He battled deep fears and insecurities, questioning whether he had made a terrible mistake stepping into the ring against an undefeated boxing champion.

This unexpected confession offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a fighter taking the biggest risk of his career. For fans, it makes his near-upset over Fury even more extraordinary.

A Risk Like No Other: Ngannou’s Bold Move Into Boxing

For most fighters, transitioning from MMA to boxing is a gradual process—starting with lower-tier opponents before working their way up. Ngannou ignored that path completely.

Instead, the former UFC champion dove straight into deep waters, challenging the best heavyweight in the world in his first-ever boxing match.

Facing an Unbeaten Champion

Tyson Fury wasn’t just any opponent—he was a dominant force in boxing, known for his unparalleled footwork, ring IQ, and endurance. Stepping in against Fury was like climbing Everest without training.

Ngannou has now admitted that, deep down, he wasn’t sure he could handle Fury’s technical superiority. He feared being outboxed, outclassed, and embarrassed on a global stage.

The Fear of Public Humiliation

Many MMA fighters have tried and failed in boxing. Conor McGregor lost to Floyd Mayweather. Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley suffered humiliating knockouts to Jake Paul. Ngannou knew the risks.

He has now confessed that the fear of becoming another MMA-to-boxing failure was eating away at him before fight night. Even as he entered the ring, a small voice inside him questioned if he had made the right decision.

Entering Unknown Territory

Ngannou had never competed in a professional boxing match before. He was stepping into a world where he had no experience—against a man who had spent his entire life perfecting the craft.

Although Ngannou trusted his power, he doubted whether it would be enough. What if Fury’s defense was too good? What if he gassed out? The unknown haunted him.

How Ngannou Overcame His Fears and Shocked the World

Despite his internal battles, Ngannou stunned millions by nearly defeating Fury. How did he push past his doubts and deliver the performance of a lifetime?

A Shift in Mindset During the Fight

Ngannou entered the ring with uncertainty, but everything changed after the first few rounds.

As soon as he landed his first clean punches and saw Fury react, he realized:

“I belong here. This isn’t a mistake.”

The longer the fight went on, the more his confidence grew. By the middle rounds, he was no longer fighting with fear—he was fighting to win.

Training with Elite Coaches

Ngannou had prepared like a champion. He worked with world-class boxing trainers, refining his footwork, jab, and defensive skills.

His team constantly reminded him that he was not just an MMA fighter trying boxing—he was a real competitor. That belief started sinking in as fight night approached.

Drawing Strength from His Past

Ngannou has faced bigger challenges than a boxing match. He grew up in poverty in Cameroon, worked in sand mines as a child, and survived homelessness in Paris before becoming a UFC champion.

Whenever doubt crept in, he reminded himself:

“I’ve conquered impossible odds before—why not now?”

That inner resilience helped him push through fear and perform at an elite level.

What This Means for Ngannou’s Future in Boxing

Now that Ngannou has proven that he belongs in boxing, the future looks even more dangerous for his opponents.

Confidence Moving Forward

Before the Fury fight, Ngannou doubted himself. Now? That doubt is gone.

He knows he can compete with the best in boxing—and that makes him even more deadly in the ring.

 Aiming for a World Title

With the fear behind him, Ngannou is no longer just an MMA fighter testing the waters—he is a real contender.

Whether it’s a rematch with Fury or a title shot against Oleksandr Usyk, Deontay Wilder, or Anthony Joshua, Ngannou is ready for war.

 A Message to the Boxing World

Ngannou’s performance against Fury was historic, but it was only the beginning. Now that he’s shaken off his doubts, the heavyweight division should be very, very afraid.

“Imagine what I can do now that I fully believe in myself.”

The Aftermath: Boxing Has a New Superstar

Ngannou’s jaw-dropping performance was one of the biggest stories in combat sports history. And now that we know he wasn’t even confident going in, it makes what he accomplished even more incredible.

• He faced one of the greatest boxers ever while doubting himself—yet still nearly won.
• He entered a sport where he had zero experience and performed at an elite level.
• He shattered the stereotype that MMA fighters can’t box.

Now, the sky is the limit.

With his fears behind him, Francis Ngannou is ready to dominate boxing just like he did in MMA. The only question left is:

Who’s next?

The World’s Most Feared Heavyweight is Just Getting Started 

If Francis Ngannou could almost beat Tyson Fury while doubting himself—imagine what he’ll do now that he truly believes.

The next knockout, the next upset, the next historic fight—it’s all coming. And when it does, one thing is certain:

Ngannou’s Next Move: A Future Filled with Knockouts?

With his confidence at an all-time high, Francis Ngannou is now setting his sights on even bigger fights. The heavyweight division is packed with dangerous opponents, but after pushing Tyson Fury to the brink, Ngannou fears no one. Could he take on Anthony Joshua? Will a rematch with Fury happen? Or will he chase a showdown with Deontay Wilder in what could be the most explosive fight in modern boxing? One thing is certain—Ngannou has arrived, and the world is eagerly waiting to see just how far his boxing journey will go. Brace yourselves for more chaos!