Just weeks after his exit from the UFC, former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has hinted at an imminent cage fight with boxing protégé Tyson Fury. Unlike what many believe, Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou bout hasn’t been set up overnight.
After years of anticipation, ‘The Predator,’ Francis Ngannou, is finally eager to make his way into the boxing arena. Recently parting ways with the UFC, this opportunity marks Ngannou’s chance to make an impact in the sport he has long dreamed of joining.
Following the shocking news of his imminent fight with Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou has been flooded with potential boxing offers. However, the ‘Gypsy King’ matchup is by far the most anticipated out of them all. Get ready for a battle that will be remembered for years to come!
And this write-up is about everything surrounding Fury vs Ngannou match up.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou Goes Back Almost a Year
In April last year, the two giants began teasing a hybrid contest between the UFC and boxing. It looked like a dream matchup that seemed out of reach while Ngannou was still contracted with the UFC. Now, the stage is set for something truly legendary, though.
Last summer, Tyson Fury’s victory over Dillian Whyte was celebrated in a big way – and in the presence of nearly 94,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. Amidst the celebration, Francis Ngannou received an exclusive invite into the ring, furthering speculation of a potential matchup between the two behemoths.
“We’re going to find out who is the baddest motherf***** on the planet,”
Ngannou said.
Fury said:
“This is going to be a very special fight like never before in the history of our sport.
“It’s going to be an explosive fight when it happens.”
“Yeah, he is definitely a machine that is for sure,”
Fury told ESPN of Ngannou.
“He is definitely a good puncher and all that, and, let’s face it, it isn’t a wrestling match or no grabbing or anything.
“It is just a stand-up punching battle with small gloves on. He has got big power, and so do I, so whoever lands first is likely to get knocked out. So, as I say, I am certainly interested in that. Bring it on, big boy – you wouldn’t last a round.”
Boxing is Ngannou’s First Love
Francis Ngannou has been a long-time fan of boxing, being in awe of Mike Tyson’s rise to fame in the sport. Even if their matchup doesn’t come to fruition, Ngannou still intends to make an impact in the world of boxing. And his showdown with Fury is only the beginning.
“My career doesn’t depend on Tyson Fury or anyone else,”
Ngannou told ESPN.
“My desire of boxing doesn’t depend on Tyson Fury. Whether he’s retired or not, I’m still gonna do that.
“I still want a boxing match in my career, a few boxing matches, and that’s something I’m going to engage in conversations [about] when it comes the moment.”
People Also Want Ngannou vs Fury, Ariel Helwani’s Recent Poll
According to journalist Ariel Helwani’s recent Twitter poll, it appears that the public is eager for Francis Ngannou to enter the boxing world. Results of the poll showed that boxing was by far the most favored option, demonstrating just how much anticipation there is for Tyson Fury vs Ngannou.
Where do you want to see Francis Ngannou fight?
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 15, 2023
But Not All of Them, Though!
Bellew comes hard at Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury clash. In response to Ariel Helwani’s poll, former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew came with his two cents.
Terrible shame! He will not survive in a boxing ring against anyone of any note.. He’s the best MMA heavyweight in the world right now and he needs to stay within his discipline.. 🤞
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) January 15, 2023
Despite all this, a match between them would be one of the most lucrative options available and would undoubtedly draw huge crowds and immense interest from boxing fans worldwide.
Fury Touts a Big Money, Baddest MF Fight Against Ngannou ….. With “Iron” Mike Tyson as a Special Referee
Tyson Fury wasted no time calling out Francis Ngannou for a high-stakes fight as soon as he was released by UFC last month. The prospect of the two heavyweight champions facing off in an anticipated and exciting match has fans eagerly awaiting it.
🚨 @Tyson_Fury v @francis_ngannou in a cage, with @MikeTyson as a referee 💥
The battle for the Baddest Man on the Planet could take place in 2023 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/PyBqkBH9Zf
— BOXXER (@boxxer) January 30, 2023
“If the Usyk fight don’t get done, we’ll be looking at Francis Ngannou for the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ title,”
Fury told Boxxer in a recent interview.
“I’m sure the WBC can make that up for me. What I was thinking is we do four ounce gloves in a cage under Queensberry rules with a badass referee like Mike Tyson. That would be an epic night and I’m sure everyone would enjoy it as much as I would.
“He’d keep me on my toes though because he’s a big lump, isn’t he?”
Fury continued.
“He can bang, he’s supposed to be the hardest punching human on the planet. I’m up for it. Listen, he can’t punch any harder than Wilder, anyway, can he?”
Ngannou Agrees: ‘What’s Next’?
Ngannou recently replied to Fury, agreeing to all those terms.
*4oz gloves ✅️
*Cage ✅️
*Mike Tyson as referee ✅️
*Queensberry rules✅️What else?
– Baddest Man on the Planet https://t.co/jiOImL0T7O
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 6, 2023
“Four-ounce gloves, check. Cage, check. Mike Tyson as the referee, check. Queensberry rules, check. What else?” Ngannou wrote, signing his tweet, “Baddest man on the planet.”
If a fight between Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury takes place, it would be the boxing bout of the century. Even more intriguingly, Tyson Fury has suggested that legendary boxer Mike Tyson should referee this match if it does happen – surely adding to its star power. This is one fight that fans everywhere would not want to miss.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou Special Rules Baddest MF Match
Tyson Fury wants to face Francis Ngannou in a crossover bout with special rules, which include:
- 4oz gloves ️
- Cage ️
- Mike Tyson as referee ️
- Queensberry rules️
Although Ngannou has already agreed to all of the above conditions Fury sets, many people need clarification about Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou rules. So, we simplify them for you here.
1. What Does the Baddest MF Fight Mean?
While Tyson was dubbed the “Baddest Man on the Planet” during his 1990s prime, it’s become a term to describe the top combat sports Heavyweight in the world. Fedor Emelianenko was considered the “Baddest Man on the Planet” for years, and over the last decade, that title has gone to UFC’s Heavyweight champion.
Ngannou was the “Baddest Man on the Planet” while holding the UFC strap, and it’s going to be hard for the promotion to claw that name away from him. Especially if Fury snatches it very publicly in a special rules boxing bout.
2. What Are “Queensbury Rules”?
The proposed fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou would be held under the historic “Queensbury Rules,” a set of regulations for boxing matches developed in 1867 by English journalist John Graham Chambers.
Fury vs Ngannou rules ranges from restricting wrestlers’ moves in the ring to time limits for rounds and procedures to follow when a fighter is ‘down.’ A fight under these conditions would ensure that the match is fair, controlled, and ultimately an exciting event for fans to enjoy.
3. Why 4-Ounce Gloves?
Adding to the intrigue of the proposed fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou is the fact that both fighters have agreed to use 4-ounce gloves, much smaller than the usual 16-ounce pair used for heavyweight boxing.
It could significantly impact how their bout progresses and is the standard size used in professional Mixed Martial Arts fights. It promises to be an intense battle between two of combat sports’ greatest heavyweights – and fans won’t want to miss it.
Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury Date
While the contractual dispute between Francis Ngannou and the MMA leader has ended, fans of both fighters are still left without a date for a potential matchup.
Ngannou has taken the initiative to reach out to Fury’s representatives better to understand his availability for a bout in the future. Until then, all we can do about Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury fight date is speculate.
“I’ve talked to somebody, some of [Tyson Fury’s] advisors, but they’re working on a fight with [Oleksandr] Usyk in April,”
Ngannou told TMZ Sports.
“So, until then, he will not be free. But I’m trying to see if we can have an agreement before that fight. That will also give me some time to get prepared for a boxing fight. So I have no problem with the timeline that I’m expecting, that I hope will be sometime in June, July, which is doable. So let’s see. I think it’s too early to make a conclusion.
He further adds:
“It’s too early to say anything about it but it’s definitely something that we’re looking into. We’ve been talking about this fight the past two years. A little over two years. I think at this point, the people are waiting for this fight and talking about this fight more than the Joshua fight, although the Joshua fight is still a massive fight.”
Francis Ngannou took to social media with a cryptic message regarding his next opponent. It also included an image that featured both Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. While fans eagerly await news of the confirmation, all that can be done is speculate as to which top pugilist he will face next.
” Decisions,” the statement read.
Decisions 🤔 pic.twitter.com/96OSS65rGW
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 6, 2023
Although Tyson Fury has yet to consent to Francis Ngannou’s request formally, it is expected that he will have no problem with the idea of a matchup. Both parties’ management are set to meet in the coming weeks in order to make the bout an official affair and bring fans the show they have been eagerly waiting for.
Fury vs Ngannou Stats
After Tyson Fury hinted at the potential of a bout against Francis Ngannou, rumors began circulating about one of the most exciting matchups in combat sports. Before we get too excited, let’s take a moment to analyze the stats of each fighter and see how they stack up against one another.
WEIGHT
Francis Ngannou has a weight disadvantage against Tyson Fury, who stands at 257 lbs – 7 lbs heavier than Ngannou. Of course, weight difference is there. But both fighters are considered to be among the best in their respective divisions, making them a formidable matchup for any opponent.
PROFESSIONAL RECORD
Tyson Fury’s professional record stands at an astounding 32-0-1 (23 TKO). It makes him one of the most successful boxers in recent times. Meanwhile, Francis Ngannou has also put together a formidable career with 17 wins and 3 losses (12 TKO). With their impressive records, both fighters have established themselves as two of the top contenders in the heavyweight boxing division.
HEIGHT
Tyson Fury has a 5” height advantage over Francis Ngannou, with him standing tall at 6’9” and Ngannou at 6’4”. This makes Fury the bigger fighter despite being 7 lbs lighter than his opponent. With both fighters having impressive records, their match promises to be an exciting one.
REACH
Francis Ngannou has a reach of 83in (210cm), while Tyson Fury has an impressive 85 inches (215.9 cm) reach. This gives Fury an even greater advantage going into their fight. He can keep his opponent at bay while utilizing his powerful punches.
Is This Special Conditions Match Favoring One Over the Other?
With the introduction of four-ounce mixed martial arts (MMA) gloves, Franics Ngannou has an increased chance of securing a knockout. The MMA gloves also take away many of the defensive stances boxers usually use when wearing standard gloves.
The cage is also very different from a ring. It significantly changes how fighters move to avoid getting stuck in a corner. This makes their matchup even more unpredictable and thrilling to watch!
Having Mike Tyson as the special referee could potentially help Francis Ngannou. Many believe Mike might be more lenient and allow fighters to work their way through positions, compared to a traditional boxing referee.
However, this adds an exciting new element to the fight, turning it into a spectacle. Isn’t this what we’re all looking forward to seeing! And, as always RDX Sports will cover the fight comprehensively whenever that happens!
