Few, if any, are giving former UFC star Francis Ngannou a prayer in his autumn crossover clash with Tyson Fury, with the consensus being that ‘The Gypsy King’ will be able to do what he pleases with Ngannou – who will be making his professional boxing debut.
The idea of Ngannou catching Fury clean and producing the most unexpected of knockouts, thus technically becoming the lineal heavyweight champion of the world, is nigh on unthinkable.
However, in his column on Metro, heavyweight contender Frazer Clarke has warned Fury that losing to the MMA star would be “catastrophic.”
“Fury is such a big fighter and big personality, he has got the governing bodies wrapped up around his little finger. He does what he wants and that is the reality of it.”
“He is going to earn a lot of money and have a lot of eyes on him from all walks of life. But boxing fans see straight through it.”
“Having said that, I wish him all the best and for God’s sake, don’t let Ngannou land a shot on your chin and put you to sleep because that would be catastrophic.”
“We all know he can punch and if you are fit and you can punch in heavyweight boxing, you have as good a chance as anyone because if you land that shot, it can be good night.
There has been lots of talk about levels in the sport and what level he it at having never done it professionally. But he probably has more of a shot than a non-puncher at British level.”
Fury and Ngannou will lock horns on October 28 in Saudi Arabia, though the Brit’s WBC world heavyweight title will not be on the line.
The bout has received a mixed reception at best from boxing fans, who are still crying out for an undisputed world title fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.