Anthony Joshua and Conor McGregor have spearheaded the tributes to Francis Ngannou after the UFC fighter-turned-boxer announced the death of his 15-month-old son.
Francis Ngannou, who recently faced Anthony Joshua in one of the most significant heavyweight matches in history, has been expressing his grief on social media following the announcement of his son Kobe’s death.
“Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone,’ one of his posts read. ‘My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy. Now, he’s laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding,” he wrote in a post on social media.
“I was my best self next to him and now I have no clue of who I am. Life is so unfair to hit us where it hurts the most. How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it? Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.”
In response, figures from the MMA and boxing communities have extended their best wishes, with Joshua, himself a father, reaching out on social media to express his support.
Joshua commented on Instagram: “May the memories you shared bring you comfort.”
Meanwhile, McGregor, a father of four who has previously trained with Ngannou, shared the following: “Absolutely gutted reading this Francis! I can only imagine the pain you are in right now. I am so sorry to hear this news. I pray God has the best and safest place in heaven for him, until you meet again.”
According to Daily Mail, the boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, meanwhile, posted: “I’m sorry brother. Can’t imagine the pain and struggle you are going through. Praying for you and your family right now!”
