It was there, aged 10, that Francis Ngannou made the decision, like many children of his age, to quit school and join the working ranks earning £1.50 a day.
Tonight in Saudi Arabia, his payday is estimated to be in excess of £15 million as he bids to outbox Anthony Joshua.
Throughout a remarkable lifetime, it is hope that the 6ft 4in, 18-stone man mountain has clung to above all else.
Hope for a better future beyond those sand mines, hope for survival as six times he made the treacherous crossing from Africa to Europe and failed, and hope of a home while living on the streets of Paris.
With what has gone before, it is not so far-fetched that the man measured to have the biggest punch in the world can hope to beat Joshua, despite this being just the second professional bout of his boxing career. Joshua might be well advised to take heed to Ngannou's favourite soundbite: "Never underestimate someone who has hope."
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