Fury Will Fight Ngannou – Says Eddie Hearn
Tyson Fury’s next fight could be against former UFC-heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
That is according to Eddie Hearn. Fury has struggled to find an opponent since his last fight against Derek Chisora.
Talks over an undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk broke down, although there is still optimism that the fight will happen next year.
In the meantime, though, the ‘Gypsy King’ will need a run out to prepare for such a bout in order to remain active.
But rather than facing a conventional heavyweight, Hearn stated that it could well be Ngannou whose PFL deal includes an option to box in 2023.
Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury’s next fight is exhibition against Francis Ngannou https://t.co/OFH0IaEiXs pic.twitter.com/Hfm6q4mFYs
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 2, 2023
“Yes, I believe [that is going to happen]. This is what I’ve heard: It’ll be an exhibition, apparently — no knockdowns or anything. I don’t know, I’m only telling you what I’ve heard.
“Who knows what’s what, but I think that is, apparently, what is going to be the next fight [for Fury]. [It’s] disappointing, but it is what it is,” Hearn
Fury would be a heavy favorite going into such a bout, given that Ngannou is not a professional boxer.
In addition, the latter has not fought in any capacity since his win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022.
Therefore, it was not surprising to see that Hearn was not too keen on seeing it play out.
“I’m sure it would be a big event, but I want to see him fight Usyk,” Hearn explained. “I feel like the undisputed championship, we’ve chased it for so long, that it would be nice to get an undisputed champion.
“But Tyson is in charge of his own career, and I’m sure he’s got a mat load of money, and good luck to him,” Hearn
And this was the exact sentiment being expressed on social media.
Social Media Reaction
Fury can't even get a fight done in his own sport you all really think he's gonna do an exhibition?
— Megaplayboy MMA (@megaufcfan) July 2, 2023
😭😭 nobody wants to see that
— 💯 (@q_certi) July 1, 2023
The day Tyson fury permanently retires from boxing the divison will be much better off
— Bhavik Upadhyaya (@BhavikUpadhya14) July 1, 2023