Francis Ngannou has revealed that he is willing to face Tyson Fury after the latter’s expected fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
On his boxing debut on October 28th, 2023, Ngannou managed to last the distance with the WBC heavyweight champion, who was troubled by the MMA fighter. The former UFC heavyweight champion floored Fury with a left hook in round three as the latter struggled to figure out Ngannou.
Despite losing via a split decision, Carl Froch and Carl Frampton had given Ngannou the win. In the aftermath, Ngannou called for a rematch in the hope that Usyk would step aside. But since their undisputed fight has been moved from December 23rd, 2023, to take place next year, Ngannou recognized that an immediate rematch was off the table. That is why the MMA fighter was ready to wait to take on Fury after the undisputed bout.
“I would be willing to wait [for Fury to fight Usyk]. I know that they are going to fight, they had a contract already, so they are going to fight sometime in February instead of December 23, which is my fault. I shouldn’t have cut him. He would’ve fought December 23, and maybe we would’ve run it back early next year,” Ngannou
Outside of the Fury rematch, there has been talk of Ngannou facing either Deontay Wilder or Anthony Joshua. The latter has been earmarked by Eddie Hearn as a potential opponent. While that may have been the case, Ngannou has ruled out such a fight for now with Fury being the main focus.
“First of all, it’s too soon. Secondly, my focus, as boxing is concerned, is a rematch with Tyson. That’s the most important thing for me right now, everything else for boxing comes after,” Ngannou
Social Media Response
He was robbed in the first fight
— Cr3ative Madness (@Cr3ativeMadness) November 7, 2023
Long wait
— MercySaidNo (@Mercypp34) November 7, 2023