‘My little boy’: UFC and boxing star Francis Ngannou rocked by son’s death

UFC champion turned boxing superstar Francis Ngannou has shared his devastation after the death of his 15-month-old son.

Champion Francis Ngannou takes questions in the press room after defeating French Cyril Gane in their UFC 270 championship fight in Anaheim on January 22, 2022. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

Francis Ngannou’s 15-month old son Kobe has tragically passed away.

The 37-year-old, who recently fought both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua took to X to confirm the heartbreaking news.

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In a statement on Ngannou’s X account, he wrote: “Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone.

“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.

“How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it?

“Please help me if you have any idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.”

UFC 270 heavyweight world champion Cameroon's Francis Ngannou (C) celebrates victory over France's Ciryl Gane. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

He had earlier written on X: “What’s the purpose of life if what we’re fighting tooth and nail to get away from is what finally hit us the hardest!?

“Why is life so unfair and merciless? Why does life always take what we don’t have? I’m f***ing tired.”

Little is known about Ngannou’s personal life and it is unclear who the child’s mother is.

Fans were quick to share their well-wishes for the boxer amid the shock news.

Fellow UFC star Conor McGregor wrote: “I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time.”

A fellow wellwisher wrote: “No parent should ever have to go through this. My deepest sympathies.”

Francis Ngannou is one of the most terrifying athletes in the world. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP

Another fan wrote: “Incredibly sorry for your loss - unimaginable.”

Ngannou was UFC heavyweight champion between 2020 and 2023 before he left to pursue a career in boxing.

That saw him give Tyson Fury an almighty scare in October last year when he dropped the Brit in the fifth round - before narrowly losing on points.

That was despite the fight being Ngannou’s first ever professional boxing match.

His training saw him strike up a close relationship with boxing legend Mike Tyson, who prepared him for his fight against the Gypsy King.

Francis Ngannou has shared heartbreaking news. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

He went on to lose to Anthony Joshua in his second professional bout last month.

Ngannou experienced an incredible rise to stardom in martial arts after facing extreme poverty in his hometown of Batie in Cameroon.

Aged nine, he began working in a sand mine alongside his 11-year-old brother to provide for his family.

He moved from Cameroon to France aged 26 without a penny to his name to pursue a career in boxing.

After initially being homeless after moving to Europe, he met coach Didier Carmont who let him train and sleep at the boxing gym free of charge.

Here, he was first introduced to the sport of MMA which saw him go on to become one of the biggest names in the history of the sport.

- This article first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission

Originally published as ‘My little boy’: UFC and boxing star Francis Ngannou rocked by son’s death