Piers Morgan Uncensored - Francis Ngannou On Fury, Joshua, Ronaldo And Those MMA Rumours

Episode Date: October 3, 2024

Francis Ngannou is not just a study in how one man can rise to the top of MMA in the space of a few years, but also in how to maintain an endearing humility while doing it. The Cameroonian-French figh...ter was born into abject poverty, but decided to follow his boxing dream to Europe as a migrant. After months of rough sleeping and prison stays, Ngannou found a home in a French boxing gym where he trained and slept. The rest, as they say, is history. While he happily recounts his past to Piers Morgan, the Ngannou of today is looking toward to the future more and more. He says he still has challenges and constantly asks himself 'what's next?' In particular, he wants to start a business in his beloved Africa and has some advice for young men who look up to him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 You know, Francis, you seem such a nice guy, and then I'm reminded that you were recorded with the heaviest punching power in the history of UFC. What I have did is not very special because thousands of Africans or millions are doing that, have done that, are doing it, and we'll keep doing. Excuse me, Pius, but I think you are making a little mistake there. Listen, Francis, I'm not going to argue with you. You're way too big for that. And when you took on Tyson Furion, to me, you won that fight. Is that a rumor? Yes. Well, then, let the rumor be the rumor.
Starting point is 00:00:34 Your next fight was, of course, Anthony Joshua, which didn't go as well for you. That fight wasn't a good fight. The whole experience wasn't good. A lot of things were off on that fight. And have you ever worried about killing something? How long would it take you to kill me in the ring, do you think? Francis Ingani's journey to the UFC Octagon took him across deserts, oceans and borders. At the age of 10, he worked in a sand mine in Cameroon. By 26, he was jailed in Spain for entering the country illegally.
Starting point is 00:01:07 By 2021, he was the UFC heavyweight champion. Now his incomparable journey, as at last brought him to the dizzying heights of appearing on uncensored. Francis, great to see you. Good to see you, Pierce. How are you? Do you know, I was reading about your life today, and I came across about four paragraphs, which told me exactly what you did. From the moment you dreamt of being a world champion like Mike Tyson, who I've interviewed many times,
Starting point is 00:01:38 to actually becoming a world champion. And it told me this, and I want to read it, because people who don't know your story really need to know it. It said, Inganu left Cameroon with a dream of being a world champion in boxing, inspired by seeing Mike Tyson. In his mid-20s, he saw a life in France. He traveled through Nigeria, Nigeria and Algeria on foot and by securing lifts.
Starting point is 00:02:02 Then he crossed the Sahara Desert in the back of a truck and found his way to Morocco. He climbed barbed wire fences at borders and attempted to cross the Mediterranean and a dinghy six times, even though he'd never learnt to swim. He steered clear of Moroccan border forces by sleeping in the forest, and when he eventually entered Spain after a more successful dingy journey, he was detained for two months as an illegal immigrant.
Starting point is 00:02:27 Once afforded refugee status, he went to Paris living on the streets and sleeping in car parks at night before finding a mixed martial arts gym. And from there to 2021 was the journey from that gym to becoming the UFC heavyweight champion. And I've got to say, Francis, I've interviewed a lot of sportsmen, a lot of people in my time. I have never seen a story quite like yours. when you hear that again reminding you of what you did to get to where you got to what do you feel about it you know in some way
Starting point is 00:03:07 for me every step of it was just like normal you know even though it was challenging but it was like a normal person like everyone having a challenge you know and then at the end of the day when they pile it up and then telling it as a story
Starting point is 00:03:26 then you'm like oh damn you know but it was just a life a life story that you go over challenges chase your dream i mean yeah and then you get there and then you're still going you still have i still have challenge even now and i still keep going i still have a destination somewhere to go to get you know once you become in the u.s yeah we once you've become become a world champion, what's the next challenge? I mean, your dream was to be like Mike Tyson, to be a world heavyweight boxing champion, presumably, originally.
Starting point is 00:04:06 But what's the dream now you achieved greatness in the octagon? You know, I think as long as a dream, dream never stop. A dreamer always keep dreaming. Doesn't matter what you dream about. You need something because that's like a fuel for your life. That's like the essence of your life. The exact same moment that I became a world champion, I was in the middle of the octagon, haven't even celebrated yet, and it just hit my mind.
Starting point is 00:04:36 I was like, okay, then what? Like, what next? So this is it, you know? And I couldn't just stop there. I was, what, 34 years old. I have a lot of time in front of ahead of me that I can chase greatness to accomplish better stuff, you know, in life. And a lot of people have been to, champion, world champion before you and a lot of people are still going to be champions after you. But how are you making your championship different? How best can you utilize that and how far can you go? I think it's more about that. And also, the fact of being a champion for me is not just like having a title. You know, like, oh, I have a belt or I have a title,
Starting point is 00:05:26 I'm a war champion and I, that's it. I think a champion is a lifestyle, you know, is a mindset, a dedication, a purpose that, something that gets you up every day, keep going, pushing to yourself, you know, overcoming your obstacle, your challenges. That's what makes you champion. And the day that you lost all those elements, you are no longer a champion.
Starting point is 00:05:52 Do you know who you sound like? Yes, it's good. You get there. Do you know who you sound like Francis? It's good that you get there. You are a champion, but you have to be champion in the rest of your life. By showing example, maybe for the youngest one or for your own kids, a better way to educate them. You know, I would like my kids who take example, like for keep going, no matter what, don't set a limit for itself.
Starting point is 00:06:16 Like, okay, I have done this, that's it. No, you keep going. You remind me of somebody who I know you met in. in Saudi Arabia. He's a good friend of mine, Christiana Ronaldo, and I saw the picture of you both together and I sent him a message saying,
Starting point is 00:06:31 is this guy as nice as he seems? And he's just a great guy about you. But Cristiano's mindset is exactly the same as yours. And I think it's why you guys get to be the best of the best, because he came from nothing. He had to really, I mean, not as tough a journey as you had, but certainly pretty tough. And he is a self.
Starting point is 00:06:53 motivator like I've never seen. He just wants more and more and more and more and always to be at the absolute best and always to be a great role model and you sound to me the same mentality. And that's what a lot of people don't know about Cristiano actually. Myself included even before before I met him like back in early last year I mean I know that okay Christiano is the best place He's talented, he's this, he's that. But I didn't know the men behind the athletes, you know. Then I got a chance to meet him.
Starting point is 00:07:34 And then we chat for like 30, 40 minutes next to the swimming, next to the pool. And then he was so, you know, like maybe some stuff that you're thinking, you are not sure it's hard. You're struggling with it, you know. And then you find out that he's exactly what he's doing or what he's been doing. You know, that also, like, motivate you down. Like, okay, so I'm doing something. I must be on the right path, you know.
Starting point is 00:08:02 So, yes, you're quite right. And, like, look at him. Like, how many players at this moment in their life are so dedicated as he is? None. You know? No, I've never seen it. And there's nothing that is, there's nothing that is chasing now. I think he has everything from the sport.
Starting point is 00:08:19 But it's just, like, about, like, the mindset, the lifestyle that we were talking about. earlier is about like dedication, hard work every day, regardless of what you're doing, of where you are, or if you have a goal or not, you know, if you have a tire to attempt to or not, you keep doing it. You know, Francis, you seem such a nice guy, and you're very, like, polite and respectful, and you talk gently. And then I'm reminded that you were recorded with the heaviest punching power
Starting point is 00:08:53 in the history of UFC, a punch equivalent to 96 horsepower, which is the same as being hit by a Ford escort going as fast as it can travel. Yeah, that's what they said. That's a hell of a punch, Francis. That's what they said. But listen, I think that doesn't mean too much,
Starting point is 00:09:26 It's only about like, you know, what I do is my profession. And after that, I have my life. And you don't have to do your job everywhere. And I assume you've done that as well. Like I see you on your social, very family type. You don't always interview people, right? So I don't always hate. I give my kids quite tough interviews, actually, yeah.
Starting point is 00:09:49 Yeah, I see you having a lot of great time, dinner, like some steaks. A lot of competitive sport, actually, especially with my sons. Yes. Yeah, I think it's important to be competitive in life. I just think life is, you know, I never understand people who are not competitive. I don't understand why you never want to play a sport if you didn't want to win. What's the point? No, there's not a point.
Starting point is 00:10:18 I mean, you might not win, but as long as you have that willing, as long as you do everything, that it takes to win and even if the result doesn't come your way, it's okay. And I think that has always been my drive from the beginning. You know, I come from Cameroon, a small village that nobody know about boxing, nobody knows about sport. But I'm like, I want to do it. I'm like, what the hell is that? Like, are you losing your mind?
Starting point is 00:10:55 And, no, like, they were pessimists, but they were realists, you know. And I was just a dreamer. I just wanted that thing that I dream of. And then I also, at some point, I have to recall myself, like, they are not wrong, right? But it doesn't matter. I have to at least try, give it a shot. If it doesn't work, at least I will tell myself that I have tried, you know, and try. and give everything.
Starting point is 00:11:26 So he has always been about like trying and give everything. I didn't know that I could do, I could actually do it. I didn't know that I could become a war champion after never been in the gym. After never seen a gym before I was 22 years old. Incredible. Like the first time I saw a gym, I was 22 years old. I stood out there like want to become a war champion, you know. It takes a lot of God to believe that.
Starting point is 00:11:52 And then you have to overcome that. you have to find a reason to motivate yourself, to drive yourself like, okay, this might not work. You have to be realistic. This might not work, but at least I'm going to give a shot. At least I'm going to give my everything. So it's always about like my everything. Do you go back to Batty where you came from in Cameroon?
Starting point is 00:12:18 Do you return there? Mostly. A lot of time, I spent a lot of time in Batte. I go in Cameroon like at least. four times a year. I spend at least four to five months in Cameroon every year. And as soon as I can, I go back to Batier because that's like, it's very peaceful now. It's like relaxing. My house there is like vacation house, things that are cool. It's on the mountain.
Starting point is 00:12:43 Like, I think, 3,000 feet high with like green, trees, grass, everything. Beautiful country. a beautiful village. You were known, Francis, well, you're known in the ring as the predator for the way you devour your prey. What do they call you back home?
Starting point is 00:13:05 Are you the king? Are you the emperor? Do you have a throne? Do you have a palace? What's the deal, given the glory you brought on Battee? I'm just Francis as I used to be. I mean, most of people there know me since I was kids. I know
Starting point is 00:13:23 some of the people some kid there since they were kids since they were born, you know and a lot of people there know me since I was born. So I mean, yes, it's good what you're doing but we are just out there hanging out and
Starting point is 00:13:40 is kind of like a big family you know. And your mother has obviously been a massively important person in your life and she raised you what does she make of the success you've made of yourself? Well, you know, in Africa, we are not very...
Starting point is 00:14:01 We don't express emotion a lot, basically not verbally. So, I mean, we don't talk about that a lot, but I'm sure she's happy. I mean, she has seen the change. We all have witnessed the change in our lives. So, yeah, I'm sure she's happy. I mean, she has five kids that today are all doing good, are all safe, secure. She doesn't worry about anything, about any of them.
Starting point is 00:14:32 She doesn't worry about how they're going to end up anymore. I think it's just a time for her to enjoy being a grandma and after raising her kids, having a good time with her grandkids. What's been the best thing that you've been able to do for your mother? Well, I think it's a combination of things. It's not like one specific things that you do and then, oh, I make her proud and that's it, you know. I think it's a combination of things. I think, like, first of all, for a mother, like, basically like a single mother raising boys,
Starting point is 00:15:15 they really get worried on how they're going to end up, how they're going to go out there and who can influence them, you know. those type of things. And then when you finally don't end up bad, I think she has some proud in it, you know. And then you get a job, you set yourself to be a respectful, respected person in the society. That make her happy, which I think all of us we are doing. And then maybe you bring you
Starting point is 00:15:52 some little glories to her, like some success, some lifestyle, you know, struggle that, things that used to be struggle for her that she used to be worried about. She's no longer worry about it, like house, she chose her house, she has her car with a driver. I mean, she doesn't need to work anymore to do anything besides spending time with her car with the driver. with her grandkids because she has a lot. My sister, my little sister has a lot of kids. She's popping kids out. So, yes, my grandma spent a lot of time with them.
Starting point is 00:16:35 When you look at France's your story and how determined you were to get to where you wanted to get to and the journey you took through all these countries as a migrant, you know, moving across first Africa, then into Morocco, Spain, France and stuff. When you look at the whole debate globally about migrants and particularly people, there's a big debate here in the UK about people coming in on dinghies exactly the way that you ended up doing. They get demonised by some people and there's a lot of debate about what's the best way to handle the issue of people coming over on dinghies, as you know. similar issues in America with their southern border
Starting point is 00:17:20 and people coming in perhaps not the documented way, not the legal way. What do you think of this debate? What's the answer? You know, first of all, like what I have did is not very special because thousands of African or million are doing that, have done that, are doing it, and we'll keep doing.
Starting point is 00:17:44 We're still doing, maybe less in the future. But when I basically, I mean, I myself was a victim. When I get here, I was just one migrant among other migrant, you know. And all those talk about migrant, the way that they talk about you, look down at you. Like, you're just a bad person. You're just coming maybe to steal something from them. You know, it's kind of like, you're. hurt you a little bit, but motivate you and you're really like, okay, I think you're completely
Starting point is 00:18:22 wrong. I want to prove. But you have no voice. You know, you're not speaking to anybody or the media or the organization. They are blasting about you guys, like politics. You stand. And then politics will most of the time, politics will use that as a reason why. they are no governing well, like why they are not doing things right.
Starting point is 00:18:50 Like, right? Like, a migrant are responsible of that, of their misgoverned. So, but I think those stuff are about to change. I think in the future, less and less people going to migrate in Europe because African now has emancipated their They understand a lot of things, and they don't longer have the need to migrate, to go other places, as they realize how the continent is rich, is wealthy, and they want to just, like, stay there and build. You know, it's something that is quite interesting to see the shift, you know, the shift of the mindset, people that was back before everybody want to come to Europe or to the West Country, Now a lot of people are like, you know what? I'm good here.
Starting point is 00:19:49 I'm going to start my business here. Everything here. I mean, we have a raw continent. We have a rich and raw continent that everything is to be done. And guess what? They need people to do it. And we've been educated that everything is happening in Europe, which is not true. You know, it's just like a mindset that education that they gave us or like,
Starting point is 00:20:16 But it's changing. People are becoming more awareness, aware of the situation and staying home and work. And let me tell you what, Pierce. Like, when I look even at myself, I go in Africa. I spend a lot of time in Africa. And one of the reasons, like, I'm setting an operation there, a system for me to return. Because, like, after traveling around the wall, let me tell you the truth, the best place for me to be at, the best place if I have to choose is Africa, right?
Starting point is 00:20:48 Everything is there. And even if I have to start business, and I'm talking from my position that I really don't need a job, I really not like, okay, need something to eat now, but I return in Africa. I want to set a business. I return in Africa, set my business, because everything there is open, the few days open.
Starting point is 00:21:12 When you come here, everything is saturated. You have to get settled of what's the leftover. You know, back there, you can take over. You don't need to get the left over, but you can take over. And that's what a lot of Africans are doing now. That's a great thing to hear, because it's such an amazing continent in so many ways. And it's great to hear. Yes, it's amazing.
Starting point is 00:21:39 And we have a lot of talent. We have a lot of workers. You go in the UK, in every sector. you will see some person that is outstanding, that is from Africa, from Nigeria, from Cameroon, from Ghana, from West Africa, wherever you name it, you will find them in different fields around here. And I think it's about time that we use those skills and those talent
Starting point is 00:22:05 to build our own continent and not need people. I mean, in fact, we don't even need people. need people. Right. Let me... We are self-sufficient. We are self-sufficient. The only thing that is missing is to acknowledge that.
Starting point is 00:22:25 As long as we acknowledge our strength, we are good. Let me talk to you about your specific skill set, which is fighting. You made a very interesting transition to boxing where the fight against Tyson Fury was
Starting point is 00:22:40 unbelievable. Excuse me, excuse me, Pierce, but I think you are making a little bit of A little mistake there, because you say my excuse set, my specific skill set, I'm if they're business or fighting, so basically I'm a businessman. Got it. Important correction.
Starting point is 00:22:57 Okay, let me rephrase that. Let's talk about your multi-skill set of not just fighting, but as a businessman in the fight game. How does that sound? Yeah, that sounds okay. That sounds good. Listen, Francis, I'm not going to argue with you. You're way too big for that.
Starting point is 00:23:13 I'm not going to treat you like a politician but let me ask you about the fight because I'd watched you in UFC and you were unbelievable just an incredible tall to force and when you took on Tyson Fury I thought well this could be really interesting because you've obviously got this incredible punching power and I watched that fight
Starting point is 00:23:33 to me you won that fight Tyson's a good friend of mine but I posted on on X at the time I think Francis Ingane won that fight did you think you won that fight? Yeah, I think I won that fight, but I won more than a fight, you know. For me, he was a dream. For me, I was living a dream. It's something that I have been chasing for years. I have been dreaming of for years to box at that level. And then I get to that specific moment,
Starting point is 00:24:04 and then they put the men show, and I was the man in the show. So he was a big win. It was a huge moment. Despite the result, despite the result. I mean, I was expecting it to go that way. I wasn't really expecting that I would go there and then win ties. They'll just give me a decision over Tyson Fury or over any type of a boxer just like that. You know, I knew that I was an outsider, but I was just there to make my point and live my dream. But I'd been in Las Vegas to watch the Floyd Mayweather-Connor McGregor fight live with my sons, actually. And he got very easily outboxed by Mayweather.
Starting point is 00:24:48 And that's why your fight with Tyson Fury was so fascinating because Tyson Fury is one of the all-time great heavyweights and you were pound to pound within the entire fight and to me edged it. People can argue about that as much as they want. But certainly you didn't lose that fight. How satisfying was it for you to have crossed over into boxing
Starting point is 00:25:10 to take on one of the greats and to emerge so strongly from that? He was very satisfying, you know, because like once again, I have to get people wrong. You know, I have to shut them up. Yeah. He was very satisfied.
Starting point is 00:25:31 I mean, in addition of living my dream, and let me tell you what, that fight was in Riyadh, and then they put on a great show, the biggest show that I ever been to, that I've ever seen. And then the scene was ours. You know, they built this gigantic arena, like, from scratch in three months just for that fight.
Starting point is 00:25:56 And then we get there, like, the ring was coming from the ground, you know, like in the movie type of thing, everything. Like, we have to do the rehearsal for the, the workout the day before, before come the fight day. like that's how big the show was. They're going to tell you like from here, you're going to have the light on your face. This is going to happen. You're going to turn left. And this, the flag going to be here.
Starting point is 00:26:24 So it was crazy. Well, it's interesting what the Saudis are doing, isn't it, with fighting? Because I went to the Terrence Jackson fight in Los Angeles. And Eminem did the halftime show there, which was absolutely extraordinary. You did a whole half-hour set and it made me realise that what the Saudis are doing I think very successfully
Starting point is 00:26:46 they're bringing entertainment and sport together in a way that we've seen in certain sports but certainly not in things like fighting for example so it's an interesting new way to do it yeah that was a very interesting way of doing it and again I have never seen anything like this
Starting point is 00:27:07 I was there like very impressed I think we always were impressed. Everybody that was there that saw the show was impressed. Not only for the fight, just the show. The show was gigantic. It was like a Hollywood type of thing. Yeah, I totally agree. Your next fight was, of course, Anthony Joshua,
Starting point is 00:27:28 which didn't go as well for you. Tell me about that fight and that experience. That fight wasn't a good fight. The whole experience wasn't good. A lot of things, a lot of... things were off on that fight and my just have been a bad day in the office but a lot of things leading up to that fight wasn't right so the whole thing is not good then I get to the fight I wasn't even was off my timing and everything and
Starting point is 00:28:06 I'm like why are you off of timing and then start nothing went well like the first punch that wasn't even like heart that I that put me down arm like really like that's when I I realized that he wasn't okay because that's not a punch that would get me down like even in the Tyson Fury fight the guy Tyson hit me with the with the elbow and I didn't even realize I get hit by the elbow until I saw the video after, you know, then I get in the next fight, like a punch that wasn't straight,
Starting point is 00:28:51 the punch that hits my hand first. I mean, that wasn't so good. And I don't want to make an excuse, an excuse. I lost that fight, period, and then I decided to move on, like, okay, next time I will be, get prepared better, you know. I, uh, trying to fix something that, uh, I didn't, I wasn't, paying attention at next time I should be prepared better. Who hits harder?
Starting point is 00:29:19 Whatever he was, he was my phone. Right, and it's very good of you to say that. Who hits harder? The MMA guys or boxes? Who actually punches harder generally? He depends. I would say MMA. It depends on the punch.
Starting point is 00:29:39 It depends on how. But remember, like, MMA fight is like four-ounce gloves. Four-ounce gloves. And sometimes you get hit not by the gloves, but by the knuckles. So the sensation is different.
Starting point is 00:29:58 Even if the punch is not very hard, the sensation is very different because it's like bone-to-bone. And have you worried more in your career about, you know, fighters die? Very sadly, Officially fighters get killed doing what they do professionally. Have you ever worried about dying while you fight?
Starting point is 00:30:21 And have you ever worried about killing somebody, given your enormous power? No, I never see somebody die. I never get worried about because we are professional. We do it. It's very organized. We do all the exam before to check if we are healthy, if we are in a good. good condition to do that extreme, to go through those extreme sports. And then there are rules, their regulation to be taking care about us.
Starting point is 00:30:57 So I don't worry about like, I don't want to get hurt. I don't want to get hit. I think because I know things, things that can happen. I can get injured and I don't want to knock in the wood. But no, I don't think about dying. How long do you think it would... How long would it take you to kill me in a ring, do you think? Well, I think maybe you might underestimate yourself.
Starting point is 00:31:29 It's really hard. I don't think it's that easy to cure a man. Really? Really? Basically a man that is prepared. Like, a man that is trained, well-conditioned to endure that condition that situation you know the men that been stimulate that that position for long time so of of course if you are if you have if you are trained it's different if you are not
Starting point is 00:31:59 trained it's quite different I think you might not die but you might end up in the hospital I think that's highly likely yes maybe maybe maybe maybe don't remember in the day the date I don't think I'd remember the year Yeah. You're getting back in the MMA ring. It's going to be your first fight since January 22. Are you pleased to be getting back to your original way of fighting? Is this something you've been looking forward to?
Starting point is 00:32:31 Yes, of course. I mean, I wanted to get here. And then, I mean, I don't really like the award getting back because even though I have done some. boxing but I never left I never left MMA you know like before even before signing a boxing fight I had a contract this MMA contract signed up and put down so I know that he was something that I was going to do to keep doing and then it's just about time and then yeah getting back into it.
Starting point is 00:33:14 You're taking on Raymond Ferreira, and it's going to be pay-per-view in Saudi Arabia October the 19th. It's rumoured, Francis, you're getting $10 million for this fight. Is that true? Is that a rumor? Yes. Well, then, let the rumor be the rumor. But you look very happy, so can I assume the rumors not far off? Well, uh, what?
Starting point is 00:33:47 Whatever it is, I'm happy with it. You were trained by Mike Tyson when you fought Tyson Fury. Who is the greatest fighter from any discipline that you've ever seen? Well, I grew up idolizing Mike Tyson. So if you ask me, I would say Mike Tyson. And Peak Tyson against Peak in Garnu. Who wins? In which sport?
Starting point is 00:34:18 Anything you like? where if we're going to if it's not boxing I think he's going to have a hot time but if it's a boxing then I'm going to have a hard time and what about if it's a street fight no rules
Starting point is 00:34:35 oh no he's having a hard time I wish I could say that about fighting Mike Tyson in the street let me just before I let you go just a couple of things one is a lot of talk about young men feeling a bit lost these days. Jordan Peterson, who I interviewed last week,
Starting point is 00:34:58 has talked a lot about this. A lot of men feel slightly directionless about where they're going with their lives. You're obviously a great role model. What do you say to young men about the way to find a purpose in life exactly the way you did? You know, like sometimes, like I will have kids
Starting point is 00:35:22 like ask me like what to do I would like to get where I am. And then there's always one thing that I say, which I think is what works for me. Like, it's first of all, like, to set your goal. Like, these days around, like, there is a lot of negative energy around some people that doesn't even, that don't even let them dream, you know.
Starting point is 00:35:52 And then not only that, don't let them. the condition around don't let them believe in their self. And I think this is the main problem, like from kids not believing in the India serve. Like they have a goal. Sometimes you see some kids that have a good project or a good dream. But just because he doesn't believe in his self, he's in his capability of doing it, he just give it up. Just because he listened to people around him, telling him, oh, it's not possible, you cannot do it, this and that, maybe you should just do this and that, and then he quit, you know,
Starting point is 00:36:34 which you shouldn't, you know, because, like, there's nothing that nobody know anything. And I always say this, like, nobody say anything. You're going to go out there and see people that will give you advice on how to manage your finance, but they are broke. I'm like, how can you give me advice of manage money when you're broke? You never have money. you know, they will give you advice of how to become rich
Starting point is 00:37:00 while they are jobless. I'm like, why don't you lead by an example, you know? So, therefore, I don't, you, you cut out all those negative energy, focus on what you're doing, or whatever is your dream,
Starting point is 00:37:20 and also allowed yourself, you know, like, and I always say, this, it's my right to fare. It's my right to be wrong. If I decide I'm doing this, I do it, then I find that I was wrong. It's my right. I start over or I do something else. But at this, I have that experience. At least I know why I fare, right, except of like just failing, just quitting because somebody tell me not to do it, you know. And after doing it, after repeating it, After over and over, I finally find a way to get straight because I would not keep doing the same mistake over and over. You know, I practice.
Starting point is 00:38:05 And that's how people get there. We tend to see only like success, but we don't see the road that get to success. You know, the way of success is very difficult. It's very complicated. But when their success comes, nobody wants to see the way, you know, like. I remember like when I was on my way, when I was on the way going to come into Europe, I was like in Morocco, living all those experiences. And I was like, well, I can't wait until I get back home someday and tell this story to my family,
Starting point is 00:38:43 to my friends, stuff like that, right? And then this journey took like four years. And then before I get back home for the first time. And then when I get back in Cameroon for the first time, nobody want to listen to that. Like, they are just impressed about like, oh, you have been in Paris. You've been in America.
Starting point is 00:39:02 How is it? How is that? We saw you with this car. We saw you in this hotel. Like, nobody really want to listen that. I'm like, do you know how I get there? Like, you want me to show you the way to get there or you want to just want the destination, you know.
Starting point is 00:39:19 So, and that's what I always tell to people, like, focus on the journey. and you will get to the destination eventually and not focus on the destination. You know, Francis, I can't forgive... Because when you focus on the destination, it's really hot. I can't think of anyone whose journey is more inspiring than yours. Honestly, I said that at the start.
Starting point is 00:39:37 I mean it at the end. It's been such a pleasure to talk to you. You are an extraordinary person. Because you haven't met a lot of African peers. You would have known. That's a normal journey for us. Well, it's very inspiring. but not all of them have a journey
Starting point is 00:39:55 to becoming world champion and that's what makes you pretty unique so it's been a great pleasure Francis to talk to you There might not be a world champion in the ring or in the octagon but they are a lot of war champion
Starting point is 00:40:07 in a different field in their different domain doing what they are doing and being a world champion I hear you well look forward to meeting you one day and we can have a little arm wrestle or something yeah sure
Starting point is 00:40:19 I like that I bet you would You break my arm. Francis, great to talk to you. Thank you very much. Thank you, Piers.

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