Former UFC superstar and now top ten ranked boxer Francis Ngannou gas reacted to the news of the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk postponement, throwing his hat in the ring for a shot at the undisputed title.
Ngannou knocked Tyson Fury down in one of the most shocking sporting moments last year before losing a split-decision to ‘The Gypsy King’, but earned a controversial WBC ranking as a result of his admirable performance. Fury then officially announced his fight with Usyk in a bid for the undisputed title, a legendary clash which would crown a first ever four-belt champion of the division. Those plans were halted today when the Brit suffered a cut in sparring and has been forced to pull out.
Meanwhile, Ngannou has found himself in yet another high-profile boxing event, after last month’s confirmation that ‘The Predator’ will take on two-time champion, Anthony Joshua, with the winner getting a shot at the victory of Fury-Usyk and therefore the undisputed title.
Just minutes after news of Fury’s injury broke, Ngannou was quick to hop on social media and suggest that his showdown with ‘AJ’ should be for the undisputed title instead, despite neither man holding a belt and both men losing to one of the champions within the last two years.
So me and Joshua for the undisputed title March 8? 😏 #JoshuaNgannoupic.twitter.com/vRCTiMS7km
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 2, 2024
“So me and Joshua for the undisputed title March 8?”
The remainder of the Fury-Usyk card could still go ahead, with Usyk already in hot pursuit of one of his fellow heavyweights to ensure that he still fights on February 17 and with undercard fighters such as Jai Opetaia, Joe Cordina and Sergey Kovalev holding up an event strong enough without the heavyweight main-event if Usyk failed to secure a replacement.
Meanwhile Joshua and Ngannou will go toe-to-toe on March 8, also in Riyadh, topping a bill that features another blockbuster heavyweight battle, as Zhilei Zhang puts his WBO Interim title on the line against Joseph Parker, who is coming off of a career best win against Deontay Wilder back in December.