Tyson Fury is wrong with Francis Ngannou claim ahead of Saudi novelty fight

28 October 2023 , 11:32

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Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou face off in Saudi Arabia (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Tyson Fury says Francis Ngannou has a puncher’s chance. I’m not so sure about that. Ngannou does not even have a grasp of the basics. How could he? He has never boxed.

Stance, guard, footwork. That’s the first thing you learn when you walk in a gym. Watching Ngannou it is clear he has little or no understanding of those fundamentals. It is like putting a learner driver in an F1 car and expecting him to beat Max Verstappen. His Red Bull team-mate can’t even do that.

How would a learner get around the track let alone be competitive. It takes at least a year to feel comfortable in the side-on position assumed by boxers.

In mixed martial arts some styles dictate that fighters stand taller with their chins out, anathema to boxers. It is hard to unlearn that.

Ngannou has impressive power, no doubt. Some say the hardest punch in all combat sports. If he lands clean that would be a problem for Fury. But being able to hit a target that moves like Fury is not easy.

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If Fury makes a mistake, rushes in and presents a target, then Ngannou might be in business. But I don’t see that happening.

If this fight were taking place in the octagon Ngannou would choke out Fury in a couple of minutes. But they are in a boxing ring. He can’t kick or grapple. The jeopardy is all on Ngannou’s side.

Fury will make more millions, but it isn't a test in Riyadh (Getty Images)

Fury is already looking ahead to the Oleksandr Usyk date in December. That’s tells you how little risk is involved for Fury.

You cannot assess this in boxing terms. The intrigue, if that’s the right word, is in seeing if Ngannou can pull off a shock.

His power is seductive. Some of those UFC knockouts are astonishing. But Fury won’t offer anything to hit.

If Fury takes this seriously he could finish it at his leisure. For what it’s worth I think he will be cautious, slowly break Ngannou down and stop him.

This is all about making money for both parties. But in no sense is it a test for Fury. It’s a curiosity, a novelty.

We are in a different world. Social media has changed the landscape. And this kind of contest is the result.

I’m not sure boxing will ever be the same again. But it’s a challenge to which boxing will have to respond one way or another.

Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym

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Barry McGuigan