Sports
Jake Paul Manager Reveals Real Reason Francis Ngannou Rejected Boxing Offer
Nakisa Bidarian shared on Monday what he says is the real reason Francis Ngannou rejected a boxing offer to fight Jake Paul on Netflix.
The cancellation of an exhibition with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, seemingly due to the lightweight boxer’s legal issues, left Paul, his firm Most Valuable Promotions, and business partner Bidarian scrambling to save the show, even though they pushed the entire event from his 14th of November date.
Numerous opponents were sought, allegedly from Nate Diaz, whom Netflix seemingly didn’t think would create an elevated enough event, to Ngannou, the former UFC champion who termed it “disrespectful” to even be considered, let alone receive an offer to fight.
Though Paul instead turned to Anthony Joshua, whom he’ll fight on the 19th of December at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, it has been suggested that a bout against Ngannou would have better suited the former YouTuber considering the MMA star has only ever fought twice as a pro boxer, compared to ‘AJ’ who is an Olympic gold medalist and former two-time heavyweight champion.
Regardless, Bidarian explained his reasoning why one fight failed while the other went ahead.
Francis Ngannou Was ‘Insulted’ by Jake Paul’s Offer to Replace Gervonta Davis
Francis Ngannou has opened up about his reaction to receiving an offer to fight Jake Paul.
Why Francis Ngannou Rejected Jake Paul Fight
Speaking to TMZ Sports earlier this month, Ngannou revealed all: “How can they go from Gervonta Davis to Francis Ngannou? It makes no sense. I was so confused. I’m like, ‘No bro, c’mon. Don’t disrespect me like that. I’m not interested’.”
This differs, though, from what Bidarian said Monday during The Ariel Helwani Show.
“Francis was one of those names where I was making calls to get a list together of potential opponents to discuss with Netflix,” said Bidarian. “Jake has always said he’d love to box Francis Ngannou … he views Francis as a fairly one-dimensional boxer. That was the logic of calling him. Netflix hadn’t said yes, or no.
“Francis’s story is fairly accurate. He wasn’t interested. [He said/thought] Jake wasn’t on his level, and he wouldn’t want to do it. I was very surprised.”
“Francis cannot afford to lose to Jake Paul in boxing because he’s already been knocked out by Anthony Joshua. So, if he wants to have any future opportunities in boxing, it certainly wouldn’t serve him well to go in there against Jake Paul if he feels he can’t destroy Jake Paul.”
Bidarian finished: “In his heart of hearts, he knows Jake has been boxing for five years, he’s not one-dimensional and it will be a difficult fight for him.”
Helwani asked Bidarian if they’d revisit the Ngannou negotiations following the Joshua event, however, the MVP co-founder did not appear interested as he was going under the assumption that Paul would beat the Brit and therefore move on to even greater opportunities in 2026.
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