Dave Allen
Dave Allen Demands Tyson Fury’s Titles to be Stripped Amidst Controversial Fight Selection
British heavyweight contender Dave Allen has called for Tyson Fury to be stripped of his titles after the Gypsy King agreed to face former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in a crossover bout scheduled for October in Saudi Arabia.
Fury, who currently holds the WBC belt and is recognized as the lineal champion, had previously attempted to negotiate an undisputed clash with Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk. However, talks fell through as Fury demanded favorable purse splits and set ultimatums for his opponent to accept.
Despite Ngannou’s lack of professional boxing experience, Fury chose to go ahead with the unconventional fight. Allen, a friend of Fury, understands the financial allure of such a spectacle but questions its competitiveness. He firmly believes that sanctioning bodies should take action and strip Fury of his titles for neglecting to face legitimate contenders and instead opting for a matchup against a boxing novice.
Expressing his disappointment, Allen voiced his concerns, stating, “I understand it, the money’s great. He’s going to get paid tens of millions (to fight) a fella who’s never boxed before. Great business for him. But I’ve known Tyson a very long time, we’ve been mates for a long time. I understand it, the money’s great. He’s going to get paid tens of millions (to fight) a fella who’s never boxed before. Great business for him. I understand why he’s doing it but I don’t like it. And he probably should be stripped of his titles because he’s not defended it since Chisora (in December 2022). It will be 18 months by the time he boxes again. If he wants to do these exhibitions then go and do them, I’m happy for him, earn your money. But if you’re not going to defend the belt, give these other fighters a chance that want to fight.”
The decision to face Ngannou has drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike, with many doubting the UFC champion’s chances of pulling off an upset win. Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, has claimed that efforts were made to secure alternative matchups against Usyk and Anthony Joshua, but no agreements could be reached, leading them to choose Ngannou as a last resort. However, Allen dismissed this explanation, pointing out several other viable opponents Fury could have faced instead.
“He could have boxed (Arslanbek) Makhmudov, could have boxed (Filip) Hrgovic. The only thing bothering me about the situation is they’re saying that there’s no one for him to box. I could name you 30 fighters that he could box, and I could reel (off to) you 60 or 70 that I’d rather see than Ngannou. The only fight that counts right now is Fury-Usyk,” Allen asserted.
As the controversy surrounding Fury’s decision unfolds, the boxing world awaits the outcome of the highly anticipated crossover bout in October. Whether or not Fury will be stripped of his titles remains a point of heated debate, with fans and experts divided over the significance of the matchup against Ngannou and its impact on the heavyweight division.
Tom Aspinall, fresh off his impressive victory over Marcin Tybura at UFC London, has offered valuable insights into what Francis Ngannou can expect when stepping into the boxing ring with Tyson Fury. The MMA legend Ngannou is set to make his highly anticipated boxing debut against the heavyweight champion in a 10-round fight in Saudi Arabia on October 28.
While acknowledging that Ngannou can’t be completely ruled out, Aspinall believes that Fury’s boxing ability puts him in a completely different league. He stated that Ngannou’s chances of securing a victory in a pure boxing match are incredibly slim compared to Fury’s unmatched skill in the ring. In a hypothetical scenario where the two fighters meet in an MMA cage, Aspinall predicts a similar outcome but with the roles reversed.
He suggests that Fury would have a slim chance as a puncher, given the different skill sets required in MMA. Reflecting on the missed opportunity for Fury to face Oleksandr Usyk in a historic unification bout, Aspinall expressed his disappointment while acknowledging that Fury had limited options, leading to the matchup with Ngannou.
“I think Ngannou has a chance but it’s a very, very, very, very slim chance, when it comes to actual boxing ability, Tyson is worlds apart from where Ngannou is at.”
Despite the change in opponents, Aspinall remains intrigued by the fight and will be watching as both a boxing and MMA fan. As the anticipation builds for the showdown between two titans from different fighting realms, the world will be eagerly waiting to witness how Francis Ngannou’s foray into boxing unfolds against the formidable Tyson Fury.
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