Tyson Fury narrowly escaped defeat, but so did Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, emerged victorious in a tightly contested split decision battle against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia this past Saturday. The fight marked Fury’s debut in professional boxing, pitting him against Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion known for his dominance inside the octagon.
While many expected Fury to easily come out on top, the match took an unexpected turn when Ngannou stunned the world by knocking Fury to the canvas, leaving him battered and bruised throughout the 10-round bout. This turn of events had viewers on the edge of their seats, anticipating a monumental upset. However, for Usyk, the story was different.
“The only ones who felt concerned were me and my team,” said Usyk in an interview with Seconds Out.
For a long time, it has been anticipated that Usyk, who currently holds the WBA and WBO titles, would face Fury in a battle to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion. The fight was set to take place after the Ngannou match, and Usyk feared that he might lose the opportunity to fight Fury in the future.
“I was urging him on, shouting ‘Move! Jab, jab! Please!’,” Usyk revealed, recalling how he cheered for his future rival Fury from ringside. “It was all meant to encourage him, especially with our upcoming fight in mind. I wanted him to overcome this challenge so we could finally have our own showdown.”
The Fury vs. Usyk bout was initially scheduled for December 23. However, given Fury’s knockdown and the cut he sustained, it seems unlikely that the fight will take place before the end of this year. Usyk expressed frustration with the situation.
“They’re finding excuses to blame me for not being ready, and they keep postponing the fight, but that’s not the truth,” said Usyk. “Fury needs to show up and fight. Now they’re suggesting that Tyson may not be prepared for it, so the tables have turned. Perhaps we should consider that they’re the ones who talk too much, and maybe nothing will materialize.”
For more details about this 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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