via Imago
Credits: Imago
via Imago
Credits: Imago
In the electric atmosphere leading up to the Tyson Fury–Francis Ngannou fight, unexpected advice emerges from a legendary corner. Lennox Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champion, breaks his silence. His words? A cautionary tale, and not one you’d expect. While everyone’s eyes are on Fury, the betting favorite, Lewis recalls his own boxing memories. “I’ve been hit,” he says cryptically.
These four words hint at an often-overlooked reality of heavyweight boxing. A reality where one punch can change everything. Lewis’s guarded yet revealing comment leaves more questions than answers. Why did he choose now to speak up? What does he know that we don’t?
Lennox Lewis on the unpredictability of heavyweight bouts
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The clock is ticking down to one of the most awaited confrontations in combat sports history. Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou. Riyadh awaits, and the world watches with bated breath. Tyson Fury, the undefeated WBC heavyweight champion, stands as a monumental -2,000 betting favorite, implying that a bet of $2,000 is required to win a mere $100.
On the other hand, the former UFC heavyweight juggernaut, Ngannou, comes in with odds of +1080. It’s a matchup that, despite its novelty, holds significant stakes. However, as the world seems to lean heavily towards Fury, Lennox Lewis, a beacon of the boxing realm, interjects with a perspective that demands attention.
During a recent interview, the topic of the fight’s anticipation and odds came up. The interviewer posed, “I know everybody’s obviously saying Tyson is a favorite and rightly so, but does he have to be careful of that one punch power in the heavyweight division?”
Lewis, drawing from his reservoir of experience, promptly replied, “Absolutely! When the guy weighs the same as you or even over 200 lbs, you got to watch out for that heavy punch. I mean I’ve been hit by punches which have come out of the blue before.”
This perspective isn’t merely cautionary; it’s rooted in the very essence of heavyweight boxing. While Fury boasts a pristine record, he has faced adversity, notably being knocked down multiple times in his trilogy with Deontay Wilder.
Ngannou, lauded as one of the hardest hitters in UFC history, surely possesses the potential for a game-changing punch.
Lewis’s words serve as a stark reminder: in the realm of heavyweights, it’s not just about skill and strategy; it’s also about the sheer unpredictability of that one powerful blow.
Conor McGregor sees Fury’s Achilles heel
The impending Fury vs. Ngannou bout has not only caught the keen eyes of boxing legends but also of MMA superstar, Conor McGregor.
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‘The Notorious’ chimed in with an intriguing observation, noting that Mike Tyson’s signature fighting style, which Ngannou seems to be emulating, might just be the Achilles’ heel for the long-ranging boxer, Fury.
McGregor believes that Fury’s strategy of managing the distance with his opponents could falter against a ‘Tyson-esque’ approach. “Mike Tyson in the corner, that type of style could be a kryptonite,” warned McGregor.
Drawing parallels to the iconic boxer, he speculated that Tyson has likely armed Ngannou with tactics to breach Fury’s defenses, saying, “Mike Tyson’s given some tips to get inside… to bang a shot that clips the top of the temple.”
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The Irishman further implied that an emotionally charged Fury stepping into the ring could also play a decisive role in the bout’s outcome. With all these expert opinions and analyses, one can’t help but wonder: Will Fury’s long-reaching style triumph, or will Ngannou’s Tyson-inspired approach prove to be the unexpected game-changer?
Watch this story: Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou Undercard: Fights You Need to Look Forward to for Fireworks
