Prince Naseem, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou
Boxing Legend Prince Naseem Hamed Applauds Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou Showdown
Boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed has voiced his support for Tyson Fury’s upcoming fight against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Hamed, a Hall of Famer, sees the decision as a shrewd business move rather than a traditional boxing spectacle.
The highly anticipated cross-sport clash, set to take place in Saudi Arabia on October 28th, has garnered significant attention since its official announcement earlier this week. Despite Ngannou’s lack of professional boxing experience and unranked status, Fury’s undefeated record will reportedly be at stake in this bout fought under conventional boxing rules.
While many boxing enthusiasts were hoping for a showdown between Fury and unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, negotiations between the two champions fell through due to disagreements over financial terms for a rematch. Hamed, echoing the sentiments of others, admits his personal desire to witness Fury take on Usyk, particularly after the latter’s triumph over Anthony Joshua.
Acknowledging Fury’s reputation as an extraordinary champion, Hamed commends the heavyweight sensation for his astute business acumen. Undoubtedly, the pay-per-view event will generate immense revenue for both fighters, making it a lucrative venture. However, Hamed questions the fight’s significance in the world of boxing, as Ngannou is not a traditional boxer.
“While it may be a compelling spectacle and a profitable endeavor for Tyson Fury, one must question the true implications of this fight in the sport of boxing,” Hamed expressed candidly to The Sun. “Fighting an opponent who is not a professional boxer leaves some doubts about the contest’s legitimacy. Nonetheless, Tyson Fury remains an undefeated force, the undisputed number one, and that deserves respect. We are fans of Fury, and we must credit him for his accomplishments.”
As opinions continue to swirl regarding this unconventional matchup, one thing remains certain: the Fury-Ngannou clash has already captured the imagination of fans worldwide, stirring up excitement and anticipation. Whether it will be remembered as a historic moment in boxing or merely a high-stakes money-making spectacle, only time will tell. But for now, all eyes are on October 28th, when two titans from different combat sports will collide in the ring, leaving a lasting impact on the sports world.
Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has voiced his disapproval of rival Tyson Fury’s decision to face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a crossover boxing match. The news of the fight, set to take place on October 28th in Saudi Arabia, left Joshua shaking his head in disappointment.
Despite several discussions between Fury and Joshua about a potential showdown, the much-anticipated bout never materialized due to various reasons. Recently, the “Gypsy King” reached out to Joshua for a fall fight, but Joshua opted to proceed with his scheduled plans, which involve a rematch against Dillian Whyte on August 12th.
Fury also attempted to secure an undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO, IBF, IBO, and WBA champion. However, the financial terms for the rematch could not be agreed upon, leading to the cancellation of that potential matchup. As a result, Usyk is now set to defend his titles against WBA “regular” champion Daniel Dubois next month in Poland.
After exhausting most of his lucrative options, Fury ultimately decided to finalize a crossover boxing match with Francis Ngannou, who will be making his professional boxing debut. The fight will adhere to traditional boxing rules, but Fury’s WBC title will not be on the line.
Expressing his disappointment, Joshua commented, “[I have] three thoughts. ‘One – I shouldn’t give a f—, it’s none of my business. It has no business concerning me. It pays me no business. Number two – Why? He should’ve been fighting for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Straight up. That’s nonsense. His fault.’”
Joshua further emphasized, “Three – If we’re acknowledging his business, good luck to the man. Do your thing. If it’s right for him, what’s it got to do with me? That’s my three views on it.”
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