Francis Ngannou (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Francis Ngannou ultimately decided to make a run in professional mixed-martial-arts, rather than boxing, but one of his coaches hopes to see him box the sport’s very best.

Ngannou aspired to be a boxer when he was younger, but after leaving his native Cameroon for France, he opted for MMA. At UFC 218 last weekend, the heavyweight quickly knocked out Alistair Overeem to secure a fight with champion, Stipe Miocic.

Recently Ngannou’s coach, Dewey Cooper, had this to say about the rising star’s pugilistic skills (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“He has punching power,” Cooper said. “Anyone that has that equalizer will fare well. If he spends more time and takes it seriously, trains hard, he could be a champ in boxing also.

“Everyone was so enthralled about the Conor McGregor/Floyd Mayweather fight. I’d like to see Francis about one year from now fight whoever the heavyweight champion is, whether it be Deontay Wilder or Anthony Joshua. That would be a real fight, where an MMA fighter could go in there and upset a current boxing champion.”

Ngannou is expected to face Miocic on January 20th at UFC 220.