'Can he box? Not really' – Tyson Fury dismisses Francis Ngannou's skills ahead of Anthony Joshua fight
06/03/2024 23:32
Tyson Fury doesn't think Francis Ngannou is a very good boxer.
The WBC heavyweight champion was dropped by Ngannou in the third round of their 'Battle of the Baddest' fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last October.
Fury got up off the floor to win through split decision, but many people thought the former UFC titleholder did enough to pull off a monumental upset in his boxing debut.
Even though Ngannou didn't get the result he craved, he still walked away from the fight a winner after making millions and impressing fans with his performance.
The 37-year-old is now set to box Anthony Joshua on Friday night.
Despite being pushed to the brink of defeat by Ngannou, 'The Gypsy King' doesn't think he stands much of a chance of beating his long-time rival, Joshua.
"I'm expecting AJ to win, for sure. He's a boxer, isn't he? A former two-time world champion," Fury said during an interview with IFL TV.
"I wouldn't go on my fight at all. It's a totally different fight, and styles make fights. I didn't have a good performance, as we all know, it was a piece of s*** from me.
"I'm not complaining, things happen in life and you get on with them."
Fury suggested that his poor performance flattered Ngannou, who he thinks is a tough, but not particularly talented boxer after their back-and-forth bout last year.
He added: “I couldn't sit here today and put my right hand to God and say if he's any good or not, Ngannou.
"One thing I do know is, he's a tough old boy because I hit him with some good, clean shots and I even hit him with a full elbow right in the face and he never budged.
"So, he's a tough fella, that's what I can say. And he's a strong old feller as well.
"But can he box? Not really.”
Fury is already eyeing up the winner of Joshua's fight with Ngannou.
First, he's got the not-so-small matter of dealing with a historic four-belt undisputed fight against WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on May 18.
A rematch between the pair is expected to take place later this year before the winner squares off against whoever emerges victoriously from Joshua vs Ngannou.
