The official announcement of Tyson Fury’s upcoming fight with MMA champion Francis Ngannou has already generated plenty of headlines and lots of talk.
Former fighter turned pundit Tony Bellew is one of those involved in the industry who has been quick to come out and call it ‘madness.’
World heavyweight champion Fury and former UFC ruler Ngannou are scheduled for the crossover boxing duel on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bellew took to Twitter to respond to the announcement that the two big men are coming to blows in the boxing ring.
“Said this would happen months ago and people were calling me a hater! It’s great business and believe me people will watch it! HOWEVER someone making his professional boxing debut against the best heavyweight in the world is CRAZY! Read back what I’ve just said! MADNESS!”
Said this would happen Months ago and people were calling me a hater! It’s great business and believe me people will watch it! HOWEVER someone making his professional boxing debut against the best heavyweight in the world is CRAZY! Read back what I’ve just said! MADNESS!
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) July 11, 2023
The tale of the tape makes for stark viewing, with Fury’s record reading 33 wins, no losses, one draw, 220 rounds and 24 KOs. Ngannou, meanwhile, has not fought a single round of professional boxing.
The WBC’s President, Mauricio Sulaiman, has confirmed that Fury’s WBC belt will not be on the line, and that he will not be stripped for taking the fight.
It will take place under boxing rules and is expected over 10 rounds. No further rules or stipulations, if there are any, have been revealed as of writing.
Egis Klimas – manager of the other heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk – was also quick to share his views on the fight yesterday when he called Fury a ‘negative joker in a circus.’
The biggest joke ever in boxing!!! I am sorry it’s not boxing it’s circus @Tyson_Fury becoming from positive person in boxing to negative joker in circus https://t.co/VYeOwxq0dt
— Egis Klimas (@KlimasBoxing) July 11, 2023
