Fury vs Ngannou is a circus curiosity - boxing needs to take a look at itself

14 July 2023 , 12:00

1096     0

Fury vs Ngannou is a circus curiosity - boxing needs to take a look at itself

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk are both in action next month. Tyson Fury is out in October. Maddeningly they are not fighting each other.

Boxing needs to take a hard look at itself. The failure of Fury to meet either Joshua or Usyk is demoralising, no matter where the fault lies. Fury is undefeated and claims to be the best. Then prove it. Beating Deontay Wilder twice is a feather in his cap but outside that his record is hardly substantial.

Fury has fought only four times since 2019. Since beating Wilder a second time he has whacked Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora. Big deal. In October he is facing an opponent who has never even boxed. MMA is not boxing. Francis Ngannou can’t kick Fury into submission. Neither can he wrestle him to the ground.

No matter how physically imposing Ngannou might be, how hard he hits, he is not a credible opponent for a heavyweight world champion. It is not a serious fight for grown-ups. It’s reality TV, a circus curiosity, but not sport.

I’m sure the Saudis are filling the Fury vault. Fair enough if making money is the name of the game. But not if you want to be taken seriously as a great champion. You can do both.

Logan Paul and KSI announce new partnership with UFC president Dana White

Joshua is fighting Whyte, who he zapped eight years ago on the way up and who was flattened by Fury 14 months ago. What’s the point? There is barely any jeopardy in this fight.

Joshua is supposed to be fighting Wilder in December. Why wait? Take him on now. For that matter, why he is not fighting Fury. Why is Fury not facing Usyk?

Tyson Fury's record - outside of beating Deontay Wilder twice - is hardly substantial (Top Rank via Getty Images)

All sides blame each other leaving the public non he wiser about the motives, though it can’t be about anything other than money and politics. There was a time when the best fought the best, and wanted to. It appears that is no longer the case.

Fury says he is better than Joshua. Prove it. He says he is better than Usyk. Prove it. Who cares whether he beats Ngannou? Certainly nobody involved in boxing.

At least Daniel Dubois is a legitimate opponent for Usyk if not the one that the general public want to see him fight first. Dubois is the WBA regular champion, which is a confected title to a degree, but it makes him the mandatory challenger and means a good deal more than an MMA belt.

Dubois will be dangerous. He is a tremendous puncher, but you have to make Usyk favourite for his ability, experience and track record.

Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym

Barry McGuigan