Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is calling for Tyson Fury (32-1, 23 KOs) to battle UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (17-3-0) in a match that will “live up to the hype.”
According to the promoter, the idea is that Fury faces Ngannou in a hybrid exhibition match and takes on the winner of the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua.
Arum believes that the 35-year-old is still recovering from a knee injury, but that didn’t seem to change his mind about battling Fury in the next.
Ngannou joined Fury in the ring after the latter technically knocked out mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte in April. The two gushed over their planned crossover-bout, which has no official details yet, but it seems all parties have agreed to making it happen.
If he wants to see the fight taking place, Arum would either have to do it based on the UFC involvement or simply back away from the participation. It all depends upon Ngannou’s contract with those individuals.
Some fans are saying that the Cameroonian fighter can give Fury a hard run for his money, but considering the rules, he could have had an even better opportunity if kicks were legal.
“Ngannou is still recovering from an injury and isn’t 100% physically, but I would never say no if this match was a possibility,” Arum said to Fight Hub TV.