WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman says he stands by the choice to rank Francis Ngannou within the high 10 regardless of the previous UFC heavyweight champion’s crushing knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua.
Ngannou was positioned at No 10 within the rankings by the WBC on the again of his spectacular boxing debut in opposition to Tyson Fury, which noticed him report a surprising third-round knockdown of the undefeated world champion in a cut up resolution defeat again in October.
Such was the lasting impression of his efficiency that Ngannou had been backed by some to bother Joshua, just for the previous unified world champion to say his dominance with three brutal knockdowns on the best way to victory in Saudi Arabia.
“100 per cent [we stand by the decision to rank him in the top 10], simply by information. Everyone criticised the WBC, myself, the rankings committee,” mentioned Sulaiman, chatting with Sky Sports activities.
“They jumped the gun and a month later the battle is introduced in opposition to Joshua and no one mentioned something. It’s about tendency, we do not go or rule or make choices by recognition. It isn’t a recognition contest.
“We go by information, by guidelines and the rating of Ngannou was completely supported by the WBC guidelines which is evident within the standards from rankings that we think about the exercise of the fighter in different contact sports activities.
“We’ve ranked so many muay thai fighters that convert to worldwide boxing.”
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See what Joshua mentioned to Ngannou within the ring after their battle
Ngannou stepped away from the UFC at the start of 2023 with the intention to search alternatives in boxing, whereas additionally signing with the Skilled Fighters League in view of constant his MMA profession.
He insisted on Friday that he’s not completed pursuing his childhood desires with the gloves, with Joshua additionally encouraging his rival to remain within the ring. It stays to be seen what lies subsequent for the 37-year-old, who has additionally agreed to battle PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira.
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Joshua stopped Ngannou with an an identical shot that has prompted large knockouts earlier in his profession. Here is a have a look at a few of AJ’s massive hits through the years
“No person says something however then Ngannou is such an enormous title it turns into an argument after which comes Joshua and knocks him out in two rounds,” mentioned Sulaiman.
“[Joe] Frazier was knocked out in two rounds by [George] Foreman. Does that make Frazier a nasty fighter that ought to haven’t been the champion after beating Ali?
“Ngannou got here near beating the WBC champion Fury, knocked him down, and it was near a cut up resolution.
“Joshua appeared nice, that’s the reason he’s the No 1-ranked contender within the WBC and I stand by the rating of Ngannou.
“We’re doing the rankings for this month as we converse and we’ll see the place the committee locations Ngannou.”
