On Friday, March 8, Francis Ngannou (0-1 in boxing, 17-3 in MMA) and Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) will clash in the main event of “Knockout Chaos.” As we get closer to fight night, Dan Rafael has spoken to Ngannou about his narrow defeat to Tyson Fury and the upcoming bout against AJ. The British fighter – was last seen at “Day of Reckoning” when he dominated Otto Wallin.
This is a fascinating fight, where a win for both would catapult them towards a possible unification contest against the winner of Fury vs. Usyk. In preparation for this bout – we are bringing you a numerical breakdown of Friday night’s fight.
10,000: The approximate population of Batié, the village where Ngannou was born and raised.
1742: (On March 8) days since Joshua suffered his first professional defeat against Andy Ruiz at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
12 of 20: The number of first-round knockouts by Francis Ngannou in the UFC, with his last opening-round win coming against Jairzinho Rozenstruik on May 9, 2020.
328,924,800: (On March 8) seconds since AJ made his professional debut, defeating Emanuele Leo by first-round TKO at The O2 Arena, London, England.
$69.99 + Applicable Taxes & Service Fee: The price on PPV.com for “Knockout Chaos.”
90,024: (On March 8) hours since “The Predator” made his MMA debut and defeated Rachid Benzina by armbar submission in the first round of their heavyweight bout.
Listen below to the full interview between Francis Ngannou and Dan Rafael, and more on the latest “Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast.”
Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of the stacked Knockout Chaos card, including results and video highlights.
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Global running shoe powerhouse HOKA remains one of the most popular running shoe companies among athletes. Building on their impressive catalog, HOKA continues to toe the line between performance and lifestyle now with an eye-popping reinterpretation of their popular speed training shoe, the Mach X 2. The newly released HOKA Mach X Caged features a superfoam underfoot, transparent mesh underlays, and futuristic flow molding on the upper. The silhouette is designed for the growing connection between running and fashion, blending luxurious style and extreme performance technology. The Mach X Caged is available now for $200 in adult sizes on HOKA.com, HOKA retail locations and select retail partners. Currently, online shoppers can choose from two colorways: "Pea Green/HOKA Citrus" and "Black/Midnight Blue." However, sizes in select styles are selling out fast online. The performance running shoe's unique visual is highlighted by a three-layer upper that includes a hero flow-molded TPU exterior cage, an internal microfiber cage, and mono mesh base material. HOKA is focused on bringing the "extreme" to runners and sneakerheads alike, as everything about this new iteration looks and feels different, fully leaning into the future while still offering everything a runner needs while working out. Outside of the new model's unique look, construction, and launch colorways, the Mach X Caged is still a runner that can go the distance. That includes the ultra-modern tooling of the Mach X 2 and elite technology for serious runners. It has been a busy Summer for HOKA with the Mach X Caged launch following up the brand's recent drop of the Mafate 5 trail running shoe, as well as the Rocket X 3 race day shoe. Plus, highly sought-after footwear collaborations with 'Supervsn Studios' and 'MAAP,' among other projects. Few brands are as trusted as HOKA when it comes to reliably putting out performance footwear and taking risks with its style. The HOKA Mach X Caged is more proof that the brand knows what they are doing in both departments.
The Chicago Bears don’t appear satisfied with their running back room with one week left to decide the 53-man roster. The Bears have until Aug. 26 to make their final cuts before preparing for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. The Bears entered training camp with questions at running back. Veteran D’Andre Swift had a down year in 2024. Roschon Johnson isn’t a long-term solution, and seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai will have a steep learning curve when the regular season begins. The Chicago Bears worked out a former running back Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC, the Bears worked out running backs Royce Freeman, undrafted rookie Kylin James and former Carolina Panthers practice-squad player Dillon Johnson. Royce Freeman played with the Bears in 2024 Of the three, Freeman is the only running back with stats at the NFL level. Freeman, a third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018, has appeared in 79 games and started nine games. He’s rushed 471 times for 1,472 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bears signed Freeman to the practice squad in December. He was then signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad in January. He last played a regular-season game in 2023, when he added 319 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games for the Rams. The Bears are signaling their need for a running back this summer. There are other options available in the trade market, as the Washington Commanders are shopping Brian Robinson Jr. during the preseason. More running backs will be available after other teams trim their rosters to 53 players, but they might not be the type of athletes to make a significant boost for the offense early in the regular season.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered a concerning update on Tuesday about Aaron Judge's recovery from an elbow injury, and the slugger did not seem thrilled about that. Judge returned to the Yankees' lineup on Aug. 5 following a 10-day stint on the injured list. The two-time American League MVP had a flexor strain in his throwing elbow, and he has been slotted in as New York's designated hitter since he returned. In an interview with WFAN on Tuesday morning, Boone said he does not believe that Judge will get back to "throwing like he normally does" at any point for the remainder of the season. Judge was caught off guard by his manager's remarks. Before Tuesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Judge told reporters that he is unsure of why Boone provided the pessimistic update. "I don’t know why he said that. He hasn’t seen me throw the past two weeks," Judge said. "I’m pretty confident I’ll get back to that.” Boone later admitted that he may have misspoken during the WFAN interview. Many were surprised by the apparent disconnect between Judge and Boone. It is possible that what Boone said in the initial interview was accurate, and Judge did not want that information to be made public. The alternative is that Boone is not completely up to speed on his best player's recovery from an injury, which would be a bad look for the manager. Judge is batting .333 with 39 home runs and 91 RBI this season. His bat is far more important to the Yankees than his glove, but he has struggled at the plate a bit since returning. Judge is batting just .229 with a .429 slugging percentage in 11 games since he came off the injured list.
Let’s be real here, Cowboys fans. We’ve seen this movie before, and frankly, it usually doesn’t end well. Jerry Jones is sitting across from a superstar player, calculator in hand, trying to squeeze every penny until the situation hits a tipping point. This time, it is Micah Parsons holding out for the contract he deserves, and honestly? How will this situation resolve itself? Why Parsons Has Every Right To Hold Out Here is the thing about Parsons that makes this whole situation both fascinating and frustrating. The man is scheduled to make $24 million this season under his fifth-year option. That sounds like a lot until you realize T.J. Watt is pulling in over $40 million annually, and Myles Garrett just got a similar deal from Cleveland. Parsons isn’t just some decent pass rusher looking for a payday. This guy is a legitimate game-wrecker who makes opposing offensive coordinators lose sleep. He is the type of player who can single-handedly change the trajectory of a game, and those players don’t grow on trees in Texas. Troy Aikman, who knows a thing or two about Cowboys contract drama, recently said he’d be “shocked” if Dallas doesn’t re-sign the star player before the season starts. But here’s where Aikman might be giving Jerry Jones too much credit. This is the same owner who let numerous talented players walk over contract disputes, only to regret it later. The Franchise Tag Trap Jerry’s Planning ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped some concerning news that should have Cowboys fans worried. His prediction? Dallas and Parsons will “put up with each other” this season, then Jones will slap the franchise tag on him next year, potentially setting up a trade scenario. The projected franchise tag value for a defensive end next season is around $26.5 million. That is insulting for a player of his caliber. It is like offering a five-star chef minimum wage to run your restaurant kitchen. This strategy feels painfully familiar. Jones has a history of playing hardball with his best players, thinking he can outsmart the market. Sometimes it works, but more often, it creates unnecessary drama that could have been avoided with a simple conversation and a fair contract. What Makes Parsons Different Parsons isn’t your typical holdout case. The guy hasn’t been a prima donna about it. He has shown up to training camp, participated in meetings, and handled the situation with more class than most veterans would. That kind of professionalism should mean something to an organization, but knowing Jones, he probably sees it as a weakness rather than a strength. The linebacker has been nothing short of spectacular since entering the league. His ability to rush the passer, drop into coverage, and blow up running plays makes him one of the most versatile defensive players in the NFL. Finding another player like him is not like finding another decent backup quarterback. He is irreplaceable. Dallas Can’t Afford To Lose Him Aikman made a crucial point during his recent commentary: “Without Micah Parsons, I just don’t think they’re gonna slow anybody down.” That’s not just former player loyalty talking; that is reality. The Cowboys’ defense has enough holes to make Swiss cheese jealous. Parsons is the one player who can mask those deficiencies with his game-changing ability. Remove him from the equation, and Dallas becomes a team that might struggle to stop a decent college offense. Jones has shown he will pay top dollar for the right players, and Parsons is undoubtedly the right player. The question is whether Jones’ ego will get in the way of doing what is best for the team. The Clock is Ticking With the season opener against Philadelphia just around the corner, time is running out for both sides to reach a resolution. Parsons has been patient, professional, and productive. He has done everything right in this situation. Jones, on the other hand, seems to be playing the same old games that have frustrated Cowboys fans for decades. The franchise tag threat hanging over next season only adds unnecessary tension to what should be a straightforward negotiation. Parsons is a generational talent who deserves generational money. Dallas has the cap space and the need. The only thing standing between a resolution and another Jerry Jones soap opera is Jerry himself. The smart money says they will figure it out before Week 1. The realistic money says Jones will find a way to complicate things unnecessarily. Either way, Cowboys fans better buckle up. This ride is far from over.
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