Tyson Fury given knockout warning over Mike Tyson effect on Francis Ngannou
17/10/2023 16:56
Tyson Fury has been warned about the great improvements Francis Ngannou is making under the tutelage of Mike Tyson.
The former UFC heavyweight champion has been training with one of boxing's greatest legends ahead of his debut fight against Fury on October 28.
Hall of Fame boxing promoter Bob Arum, who has co-promoted 'The Gypsy King' since 2019, has warned his biggest client to be wary of Ngannou’s punching power.
"Mike Tyson is doing a great job training and advising Francis Ngannou," Arum tweeted on Monday.
"I've cautioned Tyson Fury to be very careful, particularly of Ngannou's incredible right hand."
Ngannou is the biggest puncher in MMA and has a highlight reel full of vicious knockouts – but he's never boxed professionally and it's unclear if his power will translate to a new sport.
Footage of 'The Predator' working his Tyson before his boxing debut recently drew heavy criticism from John Fury and Derek Chisora.
'Iron Mike' remains confident his man can cause an almighty upset.
“I am helping Ngannou. I am learning what he is able to do. He’s able to do so much more than I anticipated," Tyson recently told The Daily Mail.
"He has what it takes to knock out anything or anybody standing in his way. Once he lands a punch on Tyson Fury’s jaw, he is going to knock him out, too. Nobody can survive that."
Fury clearly feels confident about escaping a fight with Ngannou unscathed as he's already signed to face WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk next.
The expectation is that their undisputed bout will take place on December 23 or in January next year – either way, it would be a remarkably quick turnaround for Fury.
However, the 35-year-old recently slipped up during an interview and fans think he may have accidentally revealed the true date for his fight with Usyk.
During a chat with Chisora, ‘Del Boy’ begins by calling Fury the baddest man in the world and he replies: “We’re not there yet Derek, but I will be the baddest man on the planet come April…”
Before he quickly corrected himself and said: “Not April, October 28 when I beat Ngannou.”
Fury fighting Usyk in Apil makes much more sense and suggests he is listening to Arum's concerns about Ngannou’s partnership with Tyson.
