The boxing world remains split on Tyson Fury’s upcoming fight with former MMA champion, Francis Ngannou. Now, the man branded the hardest puncher on the planet has given his views to the backlash – and he understands the opposing views.
Whilst rivals of Lineal and WBC heavyweight champion Fury have branded him a “joke” for taking this fight, others have understood the easy money it will make him when they come to blows on October 28 in Riyadh.
Speaking to the MMA Hour, former UFC heavyweight champ Ngannou is asked how he feels when he sees the reaction to the fight and whether he feels he is being underestimated.
“Well, in this case I would not say it’s haters, you know. I think they are right, they have the guy on the other side that is top of the sport. And on the other side they have this guy that they have never seen in a boxing match.
They might not have ever even watched my fight. So for that, it’s like OK, what’s going on, who’s this guy?”
He then explains that he understands people thinking he has jumped the queue when there should be other boxers in line to face Fury before him.
“Of course, some people in the boxing world would be upset because it’s the position they wanted to get and they were expecting to be in line.
And they have this guy who is just climbing in another tree and suddenly jumped and got on to of top of the tree that they wanted to get on top and I didn’t even stand in line so off course that would frustrate them. I understand, but listen you have to chill out, so deal with it.”
Ngannou confirmed the fight will be over 10 rounds and predicted that, although it has not yet been discussed, both men will wear 10 oz gloves.