The boxing world is overshadowed by a tragic death. Francis Ngannou mourns the loss of his 15-month-old son and sends a heartbreaking message. Numerous boxing colleagues try to comfort the grieving father
As a mixed martial arts athlete, Francis Ngannou has won 17 of his 20 professional fights and even knocked out Tyson Fury in his first professional boxing match on October 28, 2023. Although the Cameroonian-born fighter lost to Wladimir Klitschko’s former conqueror on points and Anthony Joshua by knockout in March 2024, the defeats seem insignificant compared to the fate that has now befallen the 37-year-old.
As the Cameroonian website 237online.com and later the boxing pro himself announced via Instagram and X, his son Kobe has died. “It’s too early to go, but he’s already gone. My little boy, my buddy. My partner Kobe was full of life and joy. Now he lies there without life. I kept calling his name but he doesn’t answer,” Ngannou described the sad loss of his 15-month-old son on social media. “I was my best self next to him and now I have no idea who I am. Life is so unfair and hits us where it hurts the most,” the 37-year-old found heartbreaking words.
Ngannou sends out a call for help: “Please help me if you have any ideas “
The circumstances of Kobe’s death are not yet known. What remains is the deep grief of the relatives and the question of why. What is the meaning of life if the thing we try so hard to get away from ends up hitting us the hardest?” Ngannou struggled for composure and sent out a cry for help. “How do you deal with something like that? How can you live with it? Please help me if you have any ideas, because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with it,” wrote the grieving father.
An answer to all these questions is probably impossible to find, but his boxing colleagues and fans are trying to support the Cameroonian in his most difficult hours.
The Bowelt mourns with Ngannou
“I’m so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time,” wrote Connor McGregor. The Irish MMA champion is himself the father of four children. “I’m sorry brother. I can’t imagine the pain and struggle you’re going through. I’m praying for you and your family now,” Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao also expressed his condolences. “May the memories you shared bring you comfort,” Ngannou’s last opponent, Anthony Joshua, tried to find words of consolation.
In addition to the boxing champions, Eric Nicksick, Francis Ngannou’s trainer, also spoke out. “It’s been a tough few days. Words cannot express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family at this time. Please keep Francis and his family in your hearts, and may this be a reminder of the fragility of life,” he replied to his athlete’s social media post. “Say ‘I love you’ more often, because a tomorrow is not guaranteed,” Nicksick urged everyone.
Francis Ngannou: A fighter in and out of the ring
Ngannou has had an inspiring life. The son of a single mother, he grew up in Cameroon and, according to a report in the British newspaper Daily Mail, had to walk to school every day along a six-mile path made dangerous by sand mines. He later traveled through the North African countries of Nigeria, Niger, Algeria and finally Morocco before settling in Paris.
There he met trainer Fernand Lopez, who initially convinced him to take up full-contact MMA (mixed martial arts) instead of boxing. Despite a number of setbacks, he made an unprecedented rise there until he ended his career in 2022, signed with the Professional Fighter’s League (PFL) and has since tried his hand in the boxing world. There he fought the stars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Even if he was unable to defeat them, he is now a big name in the boxing world.
Despite his international career, Ngannou is extremely close to home, has not forgotten his roots in Batie, Cameroon, and is very close to his mother. Ngannou will now need the support of his homeland and his family more than ever, even if he has already proven sufficiently on and off the ring that he is a true fighter.