There was a lot of Heavyweight boxing on display earlier tonight (Sat. Dec. 23, 2023) at the Day Of Reckoning event in Riyah, Saudi Arabia. Three of the top four fights of the night featured the big men throwing down, as Anthony Joshua knocked out Otto Wallin, Daniel Dubois stopped Jarrell Miller, and Joseph Parker upset Deontay Wilder.
Consider Francis Ngannou an interested viewer.
“The Predator” isn’t too far removed from his own Saudi Arabian boxing match, which saw Ngannou shock the world in a real life Rocky moment by nearly knocking Tyson Fury from his perch atop the Heavyweight division. Sure, Ngannou lost the split-decision, but he knocked down “The Gypsy King” and legitimized himself as a top-tier boxer in the process, setting himself up for future mega fights.
After watching Wilder fail to perform against Parker, Ngannou shared his reaction online, writing “Licking my lips after watching this fight.”
Licking my lips after watching this fight ? @RiyadhSeason #BattleOfTheBaddest
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) December 23, 2023
After the defeat, Wilder’s post-fight interview was interesting. He didn’t mention the word retirement, but he did talk about finding inner peace, being satisfied with his career, and wondered about whether or not he still had that fire at 38 years of age. If he does continue boxing, however, it would appear that a money fight versus Ngannou is still on the table.
Who doesn’t want to see those two trade right hands?
Ngannou also reacted to Anthony Joshua’s stellar performance, in which he cruised through Wallin en route to a fifth-round corner stoppage victory. His praise was simple: “Great performance tonight AJ.”
Great performance tonight AJ .. #NgannouJoshua
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) December 24, 2023
Once again, it would appear that Ngannou has plenty of options in the ring moving forward. Which man would you like to see “The Predator” box next?