Mike Tyson claims Francis Ngannou is punching harder than Deontay Wilder

28 August 2023 , 15:34

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Mike Tyson claims Francis Ngannou is punching harder than Deontay Wilder

Mike Tyson has claimed that Tyson Fury has never fought anyone who punches as hard as Francis Ngannou currently does as they prepare for their Saudi Arabian showdown.

The UFC heavyweight champion will face lineal boxing title holder Fury to kick off Riyadh season on October 28, with nobody giving Ngannou more than a slight puncher's chance in the fight. But 'Iron Mike' is in the MMA star's corner, and feels there is a possibility of a Buster Douglas-style situation with a massive upset in the Middle East.

And Tyson believes Ngannou will be the biggest puncher Fury has ever faced, more than the likes of Deontay Wilder and Steve Cunningham who dropped him or the legendary Wladimir Klitschko. He was famous during his UFC run for stunning knockout power, and has been pushing for a boxing turn for years.

"Absolutely, Tyson Fury got dropped by a small guy [Steve Cunningham] early in his career," Tyson told Jim Rome earlier this week. "This guy punches like God knows who, he moves quicker, I've worked with his speed. Listen man, he only has to land one or two. Tyson's never been in the ring with a guy that can punch this hard. I think this guy punches harder than anybody he's ever fought."

Tyson later added: "He asked me to go all-out aggression. He’s moving his head. He’s getting it together, and he’s determined to do this stuff for his country, his people, his patriotic pride. This is really interesting. I’m very excited about doing this. This is what you have to look at when you think about him fighting Tyson Fury.

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"Conor McGregor went 11 rounds or 10 rounds with Floyd Mayweather, the greatest fighter of his generation, if not all-time. If that can happen, why can’t he give Tyson a capable fight? Floyd Mayweather is the greatest fighter in the world as far as technique and style.

"So why doesn’t he have a chance if McGregor did well and did a great account of himself? Everybody respects him for his effort. Nobody said, ‘He’s a b!tch.’ No one is saying that. We worked out and I saw a lot of good qualities. He pretty much just needs to shake off some of the cobwebs and then it’s full speed ahead. You learn pretty quick, too, which I was really impressed with.”

Donagh Corby