Russian fighter Anatoly Malykhin, who became the first three-time champion in mixed martial arts history, responded to a question about how he sees his chances against former UFC heavyweight titleholder Francis Ngannou.
“Ngannou in MMA has no chance against me, and in boxing, I have the best coach in the world, Johnny Hutchinson, so Ngannou has no chance,” the Russian said at a press conference after ONE 166 in Qatar. “Hey, Ngannou, you’re next! You’re my chocolate pancake, come on!”
ONE Championship leader Chatri Sityodtong is of the same opinion.
“Anatoly can fight anyone,” the league boss said. “I don’t question it. Just look at his accomplishments: he’s won titles in three different divisions at 25 pounds. That speaks more eloquently than any words about his talent, his skills and his champion’s heart.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that Anatoly is the best heavyweight on the planet, period. Let’s put aside the organizations and marketing. He has a 100% completion rate, he’s a one-punch knockout guy. He knocks Francis down and crushes him. He’s an elite boxer.”
The day before, Anatoly Malykhin, who holds the ONE heavyweight and ONE bantamweight titles, defeated Dutchman Rainier de Ridder by third round technical knockout to snatch the ONE middleweight championship belt.
As for Francis Ngannou, he will step into the ring in a week’s time against former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua and, if he wins, will become the leading contender for the world boxing title, which will be decided in a bout between Tyson Fury and Alexander Usik.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/34066-anatolij-malykhin-brosil-vyzov-frensisu-ngannu.html?rand=19907
