Pro Touch SA coach Paul Davis with Francis Ngannou

FOOTBALL coach Paul Davis is no stranger to our sports pages, especially after leading his club, Pro Touch SA, to so much silverware success in 2023.

But he’s also a massive boxing and UFC fan, and on Tuesday the 30-year-old got to meet one of his heroes when he unexpectedly crossed paths with Francis “The Predator” Ngannou. The former UFC heavyweight champion was staying at the Landmark London hotel in Marylebone while doing press rounds to promote his upcoming fight against Anthony Joshua, which will take place in Saudi Arabia on March 8.

Describing the “thrilling encounter”, Paul, who lives in Camden Town, said: “I saw his trainer, Dewey Cooper, and stopped to say hello. We were chatting for about half-an-hour about Ngannou’s career and the upcoming fight against Joshua. I asked if I could meet Ngannou, and when he came out of the hotel he called him over, which was amazing. Ngannou is a physical specimen, and his grip as he shook my hand was unreal. He told me that he was really looking forward to his fight against Joshua and that it was going to be a good one.”

The showdown between Ngannou and two-time heavyweight champion Joshua has been labelled “knockout chaos”, and Paul completely agrees. “Someone is going to get knocked out – it’s just a question of who,” he added. “My prediction is that Ngannou will win in the seventh round.”