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Tyson Fury has claimed that he would beat Francis Ngannou in a combined martial arts fight, ahead of the heavyweights’ boxing match in Saudi Arabia.
Fury, who holds the WBC heavyweight title, will box the ex-UFC heavyweight champion in Riyadh on 28 October, nonetheless the Briton has hinted that he already has his eyes on a rematch in a completely different discipline.
Speaking at the press conference for the pair’s boxing match, which has been billed ‘Battle of the Baddest’, Fury acknowledged on Thursday: “I’d are looking to fight Ngannou in the cage, I think I will beat him evidently.
“He’s now not a upright wrestler; he’s known for striking, and I’m a higher striker than him. In cramped gloves, I’d knock him out in seconds.
“I’d fight [current UFC heavyweight champion] Jon Jones also in the cage, if the money became honest appropriate.”
Meanwhile, Ngannou acknowledged on stage: “I all the time do a do a query to to myself, ‘What’s going to happen when that guy hits the flooring? Are you level-headed the supreme boxer in the world now?’”
The 35-year-ancient Fury, whose WBC title is doubtlessly now not on the line on 28 October, has come underneath criticism for choosing to face Ngannou, 37, instead of unified heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
Asked about his resolution to box the Cameroonian, Fury acknowledged: “Clearly I’m getting paid a hell of loads of cash, and I rep millions of individuals from MMA and boxing who are gonna explore it.
“Whether they relish that I’m doing it or now not, bet what they’re gonna build? Composed explore it.”
Ngannou has a behavior of knocking out opponents in the first round, veritably in the first minute
(Toddle Photos via Reuters)
Fury last fought in December, beating Derek Chisora for the third time to retain the WBC belt and maintain unbeaten. Fury acquired the bout via TKO in Round 10.
Meanwhile, Ngannou last fought in January 2022, outpointing Ciryl Gane to retain the UFC heavyweight title. Ngannou, widely deemed the hardest puncher in MMA history, then vacated the title this January whereas leaving the UFC.
He proceeded to signal with a rival company, the Official Fighters League, which allowed him to box earlier than he makes his promotional debut in 2024.
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