Within a month, the biggest crossover event in combat sports history will go down. WBC Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and the former UFC Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will square off against each other on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both fighters are highly motivated to go against each other, as the clash isn’t about who’s better at boxing, rather, it is about who’s better at fighting.
On one side is a veteran MMA athlete who holds the record of being the hardest hitter, while on the other corner stands a six-foot-nine-inch boxing champion. For this fight, Ngannou is under the tutelage of none other than the boxing legend, Mike Tyson. In a recent interview, Tyson revealed something that would surprise a lot of fanatics excited for the bout.
Mike Tyson and Francis Ngannou have been training together for a long time
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Recently, Mike Tyson and Francis Ngannou were spotted together in the gym by a reporter from FightHype.com. During the conversation, the reporter asked Tyson about his decision to train Francis Ngannou. The question is intriguing because, in the past, Tyson has talked about his abhorrence of being a boxing coach. But in a surprising move, Tyson accepted to take Ngannou under his wing.
So, the reporter asked ‘Iron Mike’ when this transformation actually happened. Tyson replied, “When he asked me.” Then a voice echoed from the corner, and the camera instantly panned to Francis Ngannou. He pitched in and revealed, “That was four years ago.” This was definitely surprising for the reporter, and he had to confirm it again.
So, Tyson is passing down his exclusive Cus D’Amato techniques to his MMA prodigy, the ‘Predator’. However, not everybody is happy about this bond. Tyson Fury himself has responded to Mike Tyson’s bizarre change of mind.
Tyson Fury remains brutally honest about Ngannou being trained by Tyson
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In an interview with Sky Sports, Tyson Fury was asked about Mike Tyson coaching Francis Ngannou in their fight against each other. Fury expressed his disappointment and pointed out how he’s been named after that legend. And now he’ll have to win against the legend whose name he’s carrying forward in the sport.
Fury said, “I think that it’s sad and I think that he should be in my corner, not the opposing corner, but business is business and I understand that it’s strictly business.” He continued by stating that it doesn’t matter what Mike Tyson teaches him and what plan they make, it’ll be useless once Ngannou steps in the ring with him. He went ahead and quoted Mike Tyson himself. “Everyone has got a plan until they get punched in the face and I’m not sure who said that, but that is true,” remarked Fury cheekily.
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It’s an interesting matchup where the two amazing fighters will go toe-to-toe against each other. What are your thoughts about this? Tell us in the comments section below.
Watch This Story: Everything We Know So Far About Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou