Anthony Joshua has offered his condolences to Francis Ngannou following the tragic of the latter’s 15-month old son.
Ngannou, 37, shared the heartbreaking news that his son Kobe had passed away on Monday.
Joshua fought the former UFC heavyweight champion March and was among those to offer his support to the Ngannou, writing: ‘May the memories you shared bring you comfort.’
Joshua beat Ngannou by knockout in Saudi Arabia in March in what was just the Cameroonian’s second professional boxing fight, having given Tyson Fury a major scare on his debut six months earlier.
Joshua and Ngannou shared a warm embrace after the fight with the two-time heavyweight champion urging his rival to stay in boxing.
Ngannou confirmed the tragic news in an Instagram post, writing on Monday: ‘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 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.’
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor was also among those to pay his respects to Ngannou.
He wrote: ‘I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time.’
Ngannou’s coach Eric Nicksick also commented on the tragedy via his social media. He wrote: ‘It’s been a heavy few days, words can’t express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family during this time.
‘Please keep Francis and his family in your heart, and may this be a reminder of the fragility of life. Say ‘I love you’, more often, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.’
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