Mike Tyson believes that Francis Ngannou is capable of presenting a significant challenge to Tyson Fury in their upcoming boxing match, dismissing views that it is merely a money-making move on Ngannou’s part.
Mike Tyson has high hopes for Francis Ngannou’s upcoming bout against Tyson Fury. He believes that not only will Ngannou deliver a proper boxing match, he could actually have a real shot at victory. Up against the former UFC heavyweight champion, Ngannou, who’s accustomed to competing in a different sport altogether, many sceptics view the match as nothing more than a cash grab by the fighter. Yet, Tyson begs to differ. Putting forward his perspective on his podcast, “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson”, he argued that Ngannou is largely underestimated.
His belief in Ngannou’s prowess has a solid foundation. He pitched how Conor McGregor endured 10 to 11 rounds against Floyd Mayweather, universally regarded as one of the best boxers in history, perhaps the best of all time. Following that logic, he doesn’t see why Ngannou wouldn’t be able to give Fury a competitive fight. Tyson said, “Floyd Mayweather is the greatest fighter in the world in terms of technique and style. Therefore, if McGregor managed to hold his own and was lauded for his efforts, why wouldn’t Ngannou have a shot?”
Aside from expressing his thoughts on a public platform, Tyson is diligently working behind the scenes to prepare Ngannou for Fury. Ngannou’s potent punching ability is recognized by Tyson, who also noted Ngannou’s progress in their training sessions so far. “We worked out yesterday and I saw a lot of good qualities. He pretty much just needs to shake off some of the cobwebs and then it’s full speed ahead. You learn pretty quick, too, which I was really impressed with”, Tyson stated.
Ngannou, dubbed “The Predator,” is also optimistic, having set his mind on the upset. In his opinion, Tyson is the best mentor for him. Planning to land a powerful punch on Fury, Ngannou said, “If I land a bomb on Tyson Fury, I think the lights turn off for him.” However, he also highlights the need for an effective delivery system, i.e., executing the punch perfectly for it to have its intended impact. This is the reason why he’s taken Tyson on board to guide him through the match.