Ngannou said he was always committed to being a fighter and athlete. He never smoked or touched alcohol. Not many are that determined to succeed.
What makes Ngannou likeable is, he hasn't yet been infected by the "if you try to educate yourself and are paid higher than minimum wage, you're trying to be white" stupidity many minorities in the US are infected by.
Minorities are encouraged to be offended, impulsive and make decisions purely based off emotions rather than facts or truth. Some can be rich with millions in the bank and you still feel like you're watching someone dig through trash for food when they open their mouths. Because of how crippled and poor they are when it comes to basic competence and education. I used to get really mad about it, on some level you know they've been victimized in ways even they aren't aware of.