The Cameroonian martial arts star Francis Ngannou (37) has written an emotional post on social media after his son Kobe (1) died two days ago.
Monday 29 April at 23:41
The short version
- Cameroonian martial arts star Francis Ngannou lost his son Kobe (1) two days ago
- Ngannou wrote an emotional post about the loss on Instagram
- The cause of death is unknown, and Ngannou is asking for help dealing with the loss
- Anthony Joshua and other sports stars have responded to the post with support
- Ngannou was an MMA heavyweight champion in the UFC, but has now had two big fights in boxing
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“Too early to go, but still he’s gone. My little boy, my buddy, my partner Kobe was full of life and fun. Now he lies lifeless. I called his name over and over, but he doesn’t answer,” Ngannou wrote on X and Instagram on Monday evening.
At the top of the post, written on a photo of Ngannou with his son, are the dates January 13, 2023 and April 27, 2024. Little Kobe was just 15 months old.
The cause of death is not known.
Asking for help
“How do you deal with something like that? How can one live with that? Please help me if you have any idea because I really have no idea what to do and how to deal with this,” writes Ngannou.
Among those who have responded to the 37-year-old is Anthony Joshua, the British boxing star who won by knockout against Ngannou at the beginning of March.
Ngannou became world famous when he became heavyweight champion in the MMA organization UFC three years ago. He has a very special background, and after he left his home country of Cameroon, he has lived on the streets in both Morocco and France.
Francis Ngannou
- Nationality: Cameroonian
- Nickname: The Predator
- Born: 5 September 1986 (age 37)
- Height: 193 cm
- Range: 211 cm
- Weight last match: 123.7 kg
- Professional MMA career: 17 wins – three losses. Has won 12 matches by knockout, four by “submission” and one by points.
- Professional boxing career: Two fights and two losses – against Tyson Fury in October 2023 and Anthony Joshua on March 8, 2024.
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Last October, he made a sensational debut in the boxing ring when he knocked down the undefeated Tyson Fury, but lost on points.
Earlier Monday, several media outlets reported that Ngannou’s son had died, and Ngannou himself first posted a message on X asking why life was so unfair and merciless.
A few hours later, he confirmed his son’s death.
One of Ngannou’s MMA trainers posted the following message on X after the tragic news broke:
“It has been a difficult few days, words cannot express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family at this time. Please keep Francis and his family in your hearts and let this be a reminder of how fragile life is. Say ‘I love you’ more often, tomorrow is not guaranteed.”
Tags: Francis Ngannou lost oneyearold son
