Eddie Hearn blasts Francis Ngannou’s ‘BAFFLING’ excuse for losing to Anthony Joshua… as he insists the ex-UFC fighter ‘should know better’

Eddie Hearn has slammed Francis Ngannou for appearing to suggest that his demolishing defeat by Anthony Joshua was down to his early arrival at the arena.

Joshua knocked down the former UFC heavyweight champion three times in two rounds to secure a dominant victory in Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou, in a recent interview on the MMA Hour, said that he arrived at the Kingdom Arena, in Riyadh, two hours earlier than Joshua, appearing to suggest that this was a ‘trick’ to tire him out.

Joshua’s promoter Hearn has taken exception with the comments, suggesting the 37-year-old ‘should know better’.

He told Boxing Social: ‘I was baffled. It is a bit disappointing really.

Francis Ngannou appeared to suggest that his convincing loss to Anthony Joshua was down to him being asked to arrive at the Kingdom Arena, in Riyadh, early ahead of the fight

Francis Ngannou appeared to suggest that his convincing loss to Anthony Joshua was down to him being asked to arrive at the Kingdom Arena, in Riyadh, early ahead of the fight

He said he arrived two hours before Joshua, who knocked him down three times in two rounds to secure a dominant victory

He said he arrived two hours before Joshua, who knocked him down three times in two rounds to secure a dominant victory

Eddie Hearn (left) described Ngannou's apparent excuse as 'baffling' and suggested that it showed the UFC fighter's 'inexperience' in the world of boxing

Eddie Hearn (left) described Ngannou’s apparent excuse as ‘baffling’ and suggested that it showed the UFC fighter’s ‘inexperience’ in the world of boxing

‘He said they got him to the arena (early), who is they? You get given times by the broadcaster.

‘He said that he was made to come to the arena early to tire him out for the fight, which is really an inexperienced boxing guy talking here, he should know better.

‘You get your time, which is the ideal time that the organiser or the broadcaster would like you there, you make your own mind up.

‘Some fighters like to get there three hours before, some like to get there an hour before, it all depends on the fighter.

‘If AJ is told for example that “we want you there at 10 ‘o’clock” and we know that the fight is happening at 1am, then we would come a little bit later, because he doesn’t want to be hanging around that long.’

Hearn also reacted to a social media post which contained Ngannou’s comments, stating: ‘I’m not sure he has come round yet.’

Ngannou after the fight confessed that he couldn’t remember being knocked out by Joshua and that from going back to his stool in between the first and second rounds, he ‘wasn’t there anymore‘.

In his interview on the MMA Hour, when asked if fighting late around 3am ‘screwed’ him up, he replied: ‘We both fight at 3am but what I think, something that happened is that they got me to the arena very early, like 10.30pm.

Hearn said Joshua likes to arrive at the arena late as he doesn't want to be 'hanging around'

Hearn said Joshua likes to arrive at the arena late as he doesn’t want to be ‘hanging around’

Ngannou couldn't remember being knocked out by Joshua in the second round of their bout

Ngannou couldn’t remember being knocked out by Joshua in the second round of their bout

‘Then, when we get to the arena they tell me that I am scheduled to fight at about 1.45am and then around 1am they come to the locker and Joshua hasn’t arrived.

‘And I’m like we’re fighting at the same time but for some reason I was there for the fight at least two hours before him.

‘Even during the week we had to go places and wait. Dewey was like “they do this kind of trick to get you tired.”

Related Posts

“We’re not holding back!” – After explosive Hungarian Grand Prix tension, Norris and Piastri boldly declare F1 title intentions, hinting at rising friction inside McLaren as the championship battle gets personal and dangerous.

McLaren took their 200th Formula 1 victory as Lando Norris saw off Oscar Piastri to narrow the gap in the championship to just nine points after 14…

‘It’s eating me alive’ – Charles Leclerc reveals disturbing truth about his Ferrari obsession, hints at career-defining decision coming sooner than expected

Charles Leclerc has been able to win races at Ferrari but, in seven years with the team in Formula 1, has not yet had the chance to…

Ferrari boss John Elkann stuns F1 world with urgent demand to team as Lewis Hamilton faces shocking decline – insiders fear major shake-up is coming after tense behind-the-scenes talks

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are both desperate to win Formula 1 titles with Ferrari and executive chairman John Elkann has explained how he thinks they can…

Hamilton RAGES After Secret Ferrari Radio Message Leaks – What He Heard After the Hungarian GP Has Sparked the Biggest Controversy of the Season!

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Nightmare: Is the 2025 Season Already a Write-Off? After a Hungarian Grand Prix weekend that can only be described as excruciating, Lewis Hamilton finds…

Max Stays! Verstappen’s Bold Red Bull Decision Leaves Mercedes Scrambling – Russell’s Future in Limbo as Shocking F1 Move Reshapes 2026 Driver Market Drama.

Max Verstappen Stays at Red Bull for 2026 – But 2027 Holds the Real Drama After months of swirling rumors, cryptic headlines, and relentless speculation, the Formula…

Chaos in the paddock: Hamilton’s UNTHINKABLE post-Hungary decision shakes Ferrari to the core – what does this mean for the 2025 F1 season and beyond?

Lewis Hamilton at the Crossroads: Crisis or Comeback? In the high-stakes, high-octane world of Formula 1, few names carry the weight of Lewis Hamilton. A seven-time world…