The boundaries between MMA and boxing are about to blur dramatically. In a cross-discipline spectacle that could redefine combat sports, Francis Ngannou, the former UFC Heavyweight champion, finds himself trading the Octagon for the squared circle. The adversary in his sights? WBC Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury. Yet, the intrigue deepens. Ngannou seeks mentorship, not from just anyone, but from a titan of the boxing world. His selection might come as a surprise.
Who is this boxing icon ready to offer wisdom for this unusual clash? It’s none other than ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. What might such an unusual alliance yield? Could the fusion of UFC’s most feared puncher and boxing’s legendary power bring forth a new era in combat sports? Or could it instead set the stage for a downfall, echoing the countless cautionary tales of sports cross-overs gone awry?
Francis Ngannou’s defiant stance
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Without missing a beat, Francis Ngannou has set his sights on Tyson Fury with determined confidence. His declaration is clear and unambiguous. “He’s said a lot of things,” Ngannou commented, referring to Fury’s pre-fight jabs. “He better just get ready for October 28th, because if he’s not taking this serious, I think he might get surprised and get some regret for his life. I’m coming for all, this is my moment,” he added confidently.
Mike Tyson Open To Scenario of Helping Ngannou Prepare For Tyson Fury https://t.co/ZVFUkuSPLM pic.twitter.com/60FYKw7C70
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) July 24, 2023
Transitioning from the UFC to Boxing, Ngannou realizes the need for adept guidance to navigate this new terrain. In his quest for excellence, he expressed a desire to enlist former undisputed world champions for advice and training. “I think getting some advice or some training from Mike Tyson would be good,” Ngannou noted.
Interestingly, he also revealed admiration for another boxing legend, Lennox Lewis. “I love his boxing style, very basic but very sharp and efficient. One-two [punches], all that stuff, classic but very good,” Ngannou stated, signaling his intention to refine his striking skills and meet the challenge ahead.
Mike Tyson offers strategic insight for Ngannou’s training
Continuing the narrative, Mike Tyson, the legendary former undisputed Heavyweight champion, reciprocated Ngannou’s interest. His willingness to share his expertise reflects the camaraderie within the boxing community. Tyson responded to Ngannou’s proposition saying, “I’d like to do that, that’d be cool. I’d like that, yeah.”
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Moreover, Tyson offered some initial strategic insight on dealing with Fury’s style. He highlighted the potential of exploiting the long reach of Fury. “Fury, he punches long. So, when he punches long, you got those short punches inside. When he throws around, watch—you gotta be ready. Boom, hard punch to the body,” Tyson explained.
Tyson’s advice illuminates a possible counter-strategy for Ngannou to employ in his bout with Fury. The possibility of these two heavy-hitters collaborating brings an exciting dynamic to the upcoming fight. Tyson’s readiness to train Ngannou could potentially make for a seismic shift in the boxing landscape.
Also Read: “All the Nonsense”: Frank Warren Bashes Fighters for Not Wanting to Fight Tyson Fury
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So, what do you think? Will the collaboration between Tyson and Ngannou redefine the match, or will Fury’s experience in the boxing ring triumph over Ngannou’s untested boxing prowess? The answer to this question awaits us in the ring on October 28th.
Watch This Story: Everything we know so far about Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou