UFC heavyweight champion of the world Francis Ngannou is dominating the headlines in recent times. His dispute with the UFC is very much an entity of public knowledge. Both parties have been very adamant about their respective positions. That has led to the champ publicly stating the wish to leave the UFC and choose boxing. It seems like Tyson Fury has taken a note of that.
Earlier in the day, WBC and The Ring linear heavyweight champion of the world Tyson Fury put out a Tweet where he seemingly called out UFC heavyweight champ. In the post, he wrote, “Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules UFC gloves?” Fury tagged both the president of UFC and Francis Ngannou.
Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?@danawhite @francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/xONNoT8NzR
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) January 6, 2022
It did not take much time for the MMA fighter to respond to that Tweet. Ngannou seemed very positive in his response and offered to fight with the 16-ounce boxing gloves. However, he made sure to let Fury know that the fight will take place with Mixed Martial Arts rulesets.
How about MMA rules with boxing gloves? I can do you that favor. https://t.co/NpCMOQ3DDu
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 6, 2022
Fury came back with a reply where he pointed out that it was Francis Ngannou who wants to cross over to boxing.
you want to come in to my world calling me & wilder out to a boxing match. what i can guarantee you would be knocked out & also paid your highest purse to be so! so have a think ???? https://t.co/JtOgcydYCJ
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) January 6, 2022
The Cameroon native then finished the exchange with a promise to take of the matter following his prior commitments.
After I handle business on Jan. 22 I’ll fight you under any special rule set you want. In a ring, an octagon or a phone booth. https://t.co/twRhBnFwwH
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 6, 2022
Francis Ngannou has a very tough fight coming up against Ciryl Gane. After knocking out Stipe Miocic to take the heavyweight crown, Ngannou will face Gane to defend his strap for the very first time.
Will Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury happen?
Both fighters have prior obligations that are due in the very near future. While Ngannou has a fight later this month, Tyson Fury will defend his belts against Dillian Whyte who has been named as mandatory by the governing body.
Following that, he has publicly stated his wish to fight Anthony Joshua next. Both fighters are British and it would be a massive fight in that region which has the potential to attract a crowd in excess of 100,000. However, Joshua is due to fight Oleksandr Usyk to try and regain his lost belts.
Francis Ngannou on the other hand wants more financial opportunities and isn’t happy with what UFC is offering. He has one more fight remaining in his contract according to Dana White. Hence it will be interesting to see which way the 35-year old leans while deciding his future.
Talking about his interest in boxing, Francis told TMZ, “It’s always been down the line. This [boxing] is something that, I’m not taking my eyes off. This is going to happen either way, and even if I stay — even if or when the UFC and I, we finally, we finalise a [new] deal, the boxing part has to be into it, because I can’t see myself to retire without boxing. Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder — I would like to test myself to their level,”
Although such crossover events are a rare occurrence in combat sports, Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor has shown that there is potential to do big business under the right circumstances. But Ngannou’s promoter Dana White and Fury’s promoter Bob Arum aren’t big fans of each other. Hence it will be interesting to see whether this event ever comes to fruition or not.
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