RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Tyson Fury is set to give a rude introduction to the world of boxing to Francis Ngannou on Saturday.
Fury, the WBC heavyweight boxing champion, will welcome Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight titleholder, to his boxing debut in a 10-round pay-per-view bout.
While recognizing the power Ngannou possesses, Fury believes he is venturing into unfamiliar territory in non-MMA combat sports.
“One hundred percent (he’s out of his element),” Fury told MMA Junkie at Tuesday’s grand arrival ceremony. “This is big-time boxing. So, welcome to big-time boxing. He’s either going to sink or swim. Either way, I’m knocking him out.
“Am I the heavy favorite? Heavy men swinging at each other. Whoever lands first will go down. I think it’s a 50-50. Whoever lands the hardest punch first will win the fight.”
Several undercard fighters shared their advice for Ngannou, emphasizing the importance of pressuring Fury, cornering him, and landing strikes in combination.
However, Fury believes that strategy won’t work against his elusive style.
“I’ve never been cornered in my life,” Fury said. “It’s very difficult to hit me, even if you have a handful of rice. I’m like the Matrix, Neo. Stop. I am the one.”
The Fury vs. Ngannou matchup is not the first time an MMA fighter has crossed over into boxing for a marquee bout. It follows the trend set by Conor McGregor in 2016 and subsequent contests like Nate Diaz vs. Jake Paul and Dillon Danis vs. Logan Paul.
In the latter fights, Diaz and Danis attempted MMA tactics, but with little success. Fury warns Ngannou against resorting to similar strategies if things don’t go his way.
“This is a boxing fight,” Fury said. “And it’s actually a proper boxing, sanctioned fight. So if it starts doing anything stupid, he’ll get chucked out and disqualified. Game over. This is not a wrestling match, or an MMA fight, or a street fight. This is Queensbury rules. The greatest sport in history.”
For more on the matchup, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Fury vs. Ngannou.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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