Few in the boxing world are giving Francis Ngannou much hope in his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury on October 28th.
However, one of Fury’s countrymen – who has sparred both the boxing champion and Ngannou – warned ‘The Gypsy King’ he can ill afford to switch off against the former UFC king.
In a recent interview with Boxing News, Joyce explained how Ngannou’s much heralded punching power does translate to boxing and that Fury could get “nailed” if he takes his eye off the ball.
“Ngannou hits hard, I had to get away from those power shots because he hits hard!”
“He’s a big old unit, so Fury needs to be switched on. He should wipe the floor with him, but if he switches off for a split second then he could get nailed.”
For all his power, Ngannou is expected to be leagues below Fury in terms of skill and ring IQ and few believe it is likely he will be able to land clean on the WBC world heavyweight champion.
Former two weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders claims to have witnessed the spar between Ngannou and Joyce, and bluntly described the MMA star as a “big bum.”
Riyadh, Saudi Araba will play host to the fight, for which Fury’s WBC title will not be on the line, despite it being a professional contest.
The crossover clash has received a mixed reception at best from boxing fans, who are growing tired with Fury’s either inability or unwillingness to agree terms for an undisputed heavyweight world title fight with Oleksandr Usyk.