“Three Rounds Is All We Need”: Eddie Hearn Criticizes Tyson Fury While Demanding Francis Ngannou Fight Anthony Joshua

The Francis Ngannou–Tyson Fury fight, if nothing else, has opened a pandora’s box. The mixed martial artist’s boxing has been a revelation. On the other hand, a string of questions have cropped up about the Heavyweight boxing champion’s showing. With the split decision, many seem to believe that the former UFC Heavyweight champion has been robbed of a victory!

All boxing die-hards know Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury share history. Most still dream of seeing a fight between two of the sport’s biggest stars. Away from the dazzling lights of Riyadh, in faraway Mexico, Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn, minced no words. He slammed the WBC Heavyweight champion’s performance. Now, with a potential fight with Deontay Wilder hanging by the fence, the Englishman foresees a new lineup for his charge.

Chinks in ‘The Gypsy King’s Armor

Eddie Hearn was speaking to Claudia Trejos. The reporter asked Hearn about the Ngannou-Fury fight. The Matchroom head expressed disbelief at coming across Tyson Fury. He fought like a novice against a fighter, making his pro-boxing debut. In his view, Francis Ngannou won the bout. Trejos asked him whether the third-round knockdown of Fury shocked him. Hearn replied that he admired ‘The Predator’ for stepping up against a reigning champion. However, he believes other Heavyweights could beat him.

He reasoned that since Ngannou “beat him”, instead of a Fury-Usyk fight, there should be a Fury-Ngannou rematch. Otherwise, Anthony Joshua should be allowed to go against the Mancunian. He said, “…yeah because listen, one Ngannou, just beat him. You got to give him the rematch or let AJ end Fury’s career. Six rounds is all we need there. Oh wow, otherwise we’ll never see that fight, but if you if…if Fury has to fight Usyk, let AJ deal with Ngannou. Three rounds is all we need.”

He and his team want the Deontay Wilder fight. However, they would be happy to see an epic Ngannou-Joshua clash since he “beat” Tyson Fury.

Either a rematch or a new match—Eddie Hearn

He postulated that the imaginations of many would have gotten the better of them, thinking that the former UFC heavyweight champion could even beat Joshua. However, according to Hearn, that fight would end in three rounds.

Claudia Trejos highlighted that a fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is almost a done deal for December-end this year. But Hearn, sounding skeptical, replied, “… I’ve always wanted to see AJ Fury. I’ve always believed AJ beats him. I’m so confident now six rounds, the fight’s over. He stopped him, but I feel for Francis Ngnnanu because, really, you kind of should also make Fury and Ngannau rematch, but then I don’t know if you Usyk fights actually contracted…”

Eddie Hearn was at Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico, overseeing Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez‘s title challenge against O’Shaquie Foster, the WBC Super Featherweight champion. Unfortunately, the campaign for Matchroom’s Hernandez, who had been ahead in the scorecards thus far, ended in the twelfth round.

Read More: Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Rivalry Explained: Why Were the Duo Never Able to Square Up in the Ring?

Do you think, given the questions raised about his performance against Ngannou, Tyson Fury should not take on Joshua and Zhang after the Usyk business to prove his credentials? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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