PARIS – Francis Ngannou said on April 29 that his 15-month-old son Kobe had died. The French-Cameroonian boxer and former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter posted on social media platform X: “Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone.
“My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy.
“Now, he’s laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding.
“I was my best self next to him and now I have no clue of who I am. Life is so unfair to hit us where it hurts the most.”
Ngannou was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia in March, his second heavyweight defeat since switching from MMA.
Ngannou had pushed world champion Tyson Fury close during a controversial points defeat in his first professional boxing match in Saudi Arabia last October.
A few hours before revealing Kobe’s death, Ngannou had posted on X, without reference to his son: “What’s the purpose of life if what we’re fighting tooth and nail to get away from is what finally hit us the hardest?
“Why is life so unfair and merciless?”
The fight world reacted with messages of condolence.
“I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time,” wrote Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Conor McGregor on X.
The fighter’s manager, Marquel Martin, posted: “Please respect @francis_ngannou and his family during this traumatic time. I along with millions (of) others will be praying for their strength.”
Veteran ring announcer Michael Buffer said on social media: “The entire world of sports and beyond stand crushed and painfully supportive with Francis at this time.
“Please know that millions of us embrace little Kobe with our prayers.”
Meanwhile, welterweight Colby Covington is planning to get back in the octagon on June 29 at UFC 303, but he is not convinced that Ian Machado Garry deserves to be the opponent.
Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) is on the comeback after losing by unanimous decision to welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December in London. The California native, 36, has heard a lot of talk from Ireland’s Garry (14-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), and seemed agreeable to a future fight if Garry met certain stipulations.
However, an opportunity to build momentum was missed when Garry, 26, did not show up for a UFC 296 pre-fight press conference, and later withdrew from his bout that week against Vicente Luque because of pneumonia. That did not sit right with Covington.
Covington said on the “Twins Pod” podcast: “He has to show me he’s serious. He was supposed to be on my last event in the press conference.
“He pulls out the day of the press conference because he knew I was going to be on stage, and we’re going to have some beef. So that shows me that he’s not serious.” AFP, REUTERS
