Heavyweight MMA fighter Francis Ngannou, known for his power punches, will make his boxing debut against undefeated heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, in what is seen as a major challenge, but his coach, Eric Nicksick, believes Ngannou’s unconventional style could surprise Fury.
Francis Ngannou, who has been dreaming of a cross-over to boxing, is set to face heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on October 28 in his debut match. The anticipation is high as Ngannou plans to pull off what could arguably be the biggest upset in combat sports since James “Buster” Douglas’s knockout victory over Mike Tyson in 1990. As unlikely as that result was, Douglas entered the ring with over 30 professional fights under his belt whereas Ngannou, despite being the top heavyweight combatant, is primarily known for his MMA feats. Yet he is set to face Fury who holds an impressive record of 33 wins, 24 through knockouts.
Ngannou’s head coach, Eric Nicksick, referred to the challenge of preparing for this match as: “the hardest task” lightheartedly suggesting that they may just have to bend the boxing rules occasionally just to get through. Transitioning from MMA to boxing certainly has its challenges as the tactics vary significantly. Boxing eliminates the possibility of take downs or strategic movements that could potentially neutralize some of Ngannou’s strengths. The task now is to dive into unfamiliar territory, strategize and hope to rise above the best heavyweight boxer.
However, in spite of the apparent disadvantages, Nicksick pointed out the potential dividends of Ngannou’s background in MMA. He cited the unexpected hook thrown by Deontay Wilder during his first face-off with Fury as possible inspiration for the game plan. Wilder, not as technically proficient as most, managed to break Fury’s defense using the erratic motion typical in MMA and got him off balance. This underscores Nicksick’s belief that unconventional strategies associated with different combat styles may have a place in boxing and could potentially counter the skill set of an opponent like Fury.
Nonetheless, the wildcard remains Ngannou’s notorious punching power which is widely acknowledged by his competitors to be an actual game-changer. His power, Nicksick believes, could be the crucial element in leveling the playing field for Ngannou. Providing the underdog a puncher’s chance in the bout. While Ngannou is indeed a decided underdog heading into the fight, Nicksick remains hopeful, pointing to his impressive life journey and sheer determination as evidence of his fighting spirit. The challenge of climbing this mountain is nothing new to Ngannou, and Nicksick would not be surprised if he manages to pull off the upset in the upcoming match.