It’s an exhibition match. None of the titles are on the firing line. Then what’s at stake? Legacy, and of course, moolah. Tyson Fury gets a shot to further bolster his legacy by fighting and defeating a man many consider one of the deadliest overall fighters on the planet. For Francis Ngannou, beating the Heavyweight boxing champion of the world at his game would mean walking into history, besides opening up several lucrative avenues. But what would happen in the event of the dreaded defeat?
Tyson Fury sat down with football great Rio Ferdinand. The latter now works as an analyst with Warner Bros.-owned TNT Sports. ‘The Gypsy King’ shared the risks of fighting someone like Francis Ngannou. He might remain an overwhelming favorite to win on October 28. However, that doesn’t mean the former UFC Heavyweight champion’s chances have taken a backseat.
Tyson Fury weights in a possible drub
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Rio Ferdinand has been a lifelong footballer who retired eight years ago. But for the unsuccessful attempt at gaining a professional boxing license, Ferdinand too could have had a taste of the sweet science. So, Fury was asked to share the level of risk he undertook while fighting someone like Francis Ngannou. The WBC Heavyweight champion replied that the Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist is a vast, dangerous man who not only stands around 6 feet and 5 inches tall but also weighs about eighteen or nineteen stones.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, he is the hardest puncher in history. So, there remains a great chance of receiving grave injuries. The Mancunian added, “The biggest risk of all is fighting an MMA fighter, and I’m the world heavyweight champion. What happens if he beats me? Ridiculed…”
“What happens if he beats me? RIDICULED” 😳@Tyson_Fury talks Francis Ngannou fight with @rioferdy5 🥊
Watch Rio Ferdinand Meets: Tyson Fury on TNT Sports and Discovery+ tomorrow at 3:15PM BST 📺#FuryNgannou | October 28 | TNT Sports Box Office pic.twitter.com/QDbc6L6jFx
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) September 29, 2023
Then came the best part. Drawing an analogy, he shared that the scenario might resemble the humiliating loss his favorite soccer club, Manchester United, suffered at the hands of long-time rivals Liverpool on March 3.
The Fury-United parallels
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Fury said, “It’d be like Manchester United getting beat 7-0 [by] Liverpool.” How do you come back from that?” Early this year, Liverpool crushed Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield. Two goals from Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, and Mohamed Salah, and one from Roberto Firmino sealed the Red Devils’ fate. United entered the game on an eleven-match unbeaten run. However, in the second half, Liverpool exercised total dominance and scored six goals, leaving everyone bewildered.
Francis Ngannou surprised everyone by pulling into his camp one of the greatest Heavyweight boxers of all time, Mike Tyson. Only time will tell whether he has been able to reap maximum advantage from the youngest Heavyweight champion’s vast experience and expertise. Otherwise, regarding mixed martial arts, he joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in May of this year under a multi-fight deal.
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What is your opinion? Do you think Francis Ngannou has it in him to stage a grand upset on October 28? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.
Watch This Story: Heated Moments From Tyson Fury And Francis Ngannou’s First Press Conference