Francis Ngannou, known for his knockout power in the heavyweight division, is set to face off with Tyson Fury in a boxing match in October, with some experts arguing that while Ngannou has power, his relative naivety in boxing could also serve as an advantage as Fury hasn’t seen his boxing style before.
Francis Ngannou, reputed to have one of the strongest knockout powers in heavyweight history, is gearing up to face Tyson Fury in a boxing match this coming October. Ngannou’s brute strength has often been likened to a Ford Escort hitting at top-speed, a comparison drawn by UFC president, Dana White. Ngannou’s previous opponents, such as Alistair Overeem, Stipe Miocic, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik, can testify to the force of Ngannou’s punches, something he hopes to harness in his boxing debut.
Fury, however, is no stranger to facing knockout artists throughout his career and has even survived three fights against Deontay Wilder, widely considered one of the hardest hitters in the heavyweight division. UFC welterweight Matt Brown suggests that Ngannou might actually generate more power than Wilder. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean he will land a clean hit on someone as skilled and meticulous as Fury. “To be honest, I would lean towards Francis just because of how he’s built,” Brown contemplates, noting that while Wilder is built to punch, Ngannou’s muscular physique might translate to harder hits.
Despite the power he boasts, Fury has demonstrated impressive resistance and endurance in past matches. A notable example stems from 2018 when Fury took a powerful hit from Wilder, falling onto the canvas yet still managing to rise before the 10 count duration ended. If Wilder couldn’t down Fury with a single punch, Brown remains skeptical that Ngannou, or any other player, could achieve this feat. Yet, the unpredictability and spontaneity of the sport don’t rule this possibility out altogether.
Ngannou isn’t likely to outbox Fury; thus, landing a forceful hit may be his sole strategy to getting ahead. Other than his knockout skill, he is notably at a disadvantage compared to Fury in numerous boxing parameters. Brown concedes that Ngannou’s lack of boxing experience might pose some unique challenges for Fury, who is more accustomed to confronting seasoned opponents. He adds, “The biggest advantage that Francis has is Tyson doesn’t know anything about him as a boxer,” highlighting potential unpredictability as a game-changer for Ngannou in this match.