We compare Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou’s boxing skills as Ngannou says he is open to fighting Paul in boxing.
MMA (and UFC) and boxing are continuing to get closer as sports than ever before. Pro boxer Jake Paul who has a boxing promotional company now has an MMA promotional company.
Francis Ngannou, a former MMA heavyweight champion who fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing in recent years, fights on that MMA promotion started by Paul.
Ngannou has said he’s open to boxing Jake Paul so let’s compare Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou’s boxing skills by looking at the facts.
| Category | Jake Paul | Francis Ngannou |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing Record | Lost to Anthony Joshua by 6th-round KO in Dec 2025; sustained broken jaw | Lost to Anthony Joshua by 2nd-round KO in March 2024 |
| Rounds vs Anthony Joshua | Lasted to Round 6 vs Joshua | Knocked out in Round 2 vs Joshua |
| Weight Class (Boxing) | Primarily cruiserweight; moved up to heavyweight for Joshua fight | Heavyweight |
| Pro Boxing Experience | YouTube influencer turned pro prizefighter; bulk of career at cruiserweight | Former UFC Heavyweight Champion; boxed Tyson Fury for 10 rounds and lost split decision, then lost to Joshua |
| MMA Background | No MMA background | Elite heavyweight MMA fighter; former UFC Heavyweight Champion |
| Stated Style Assessment by Paul | Self-describes as doing better vs Joshua; says Ngannou has “no chin” and is “lowkey soft” | Called a “terrible boxer” by Paul |
| Stated Style Assessment by Cormier | “Did a good job of moving around for a long time” vs Joshua | “Didn’t move around much” vs Joshua; “thought he could actually fight him” due to Fury performance |
| Recent Activity | Unlikely to compete until mid-2026 due to broken jaw | Released from PFL; signed with Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions; scheduled for MMA bout vs Philipe Lins |
| Mutual Interest in Fight | Targeting Ngannou next; calls it an “easy fight” | Declined short-notice fight in Dec 2025; later open to idea |
Let’s see what happens next for them.
Jake Paul also recently did an ESPN Boxing deal to show boxing again on ESPN in the US for some of his fight promotions.
