Following a loss to Tyson Fury in his debut contest, Francis Ngannou was ranked the tenth best heavyweight in the world by the WBC.
Ngannou has become a big name in boxing after just one fight. His hugely hyped bout with Tyson Fury in Riyadh in October came after he had established himself as a fearsome puncher and world title holder in the UFC.
Though given no chance by most onlookers, the Cameroonian-Frenchman performed well and pushed Fury across all 10 rounds. He even secured a knockdown in the third round and left many thinking he was unlucky to lose on a spilt decision.
In the wake of the fight, he has been called out by many heavyweights and has, controversially, also been given a ranking in the Top 10 by the WBC.
Speaking to Pro Box TV, former champion turned pundit Paulie Malignaggi has expressed his dismay at the ranking.
“A good performance from Ngannou but no [the ranking] is not deserved. You can’t have one fight and lose and get a ranking inside the Top 10. Technically a fighter in the Top 10 is allowed to fight for a world championship but then there’s another rule where you can’t come off a loss and fight for a world title.”
Malignaggi then tried to explain why he thinks the WBC ranked Ngannou and said it was ‘political.’
“Moral victories are good, they bring a tear to the eye, they make you root for a guy but I think Ngannou needs a win before he gets a Top 10 ranking. It’s a political move to get people talking and keep the WBC in the headlines. You’ve got to win your way into the rankings.”
Following the fight, Ngannou stated his desire to rematch Fury should the Brit come through his undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk.