In the lead-up to the much-anticipated battle between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou, former boxing legend Mike Tyson has drawn a significant comparison between the crossover and Conor McGregor’s iconic bout against Floyd Mayweather.
Scheduled for October 28 in Saudi Arabia, the bout marks Ngannou’s debut in professional boxing, as he squares off against heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. While Fury’s WBC title won’t be up for grabs due to Ngannou’s non-ranking status with the organization, the clash is set to follow traditional Queensbury rules across 10 three-minute rounds.
Tyson, the revered figure in the boxing world, has pointed to McGregor’s resilient performance against Mayweather as a testament to the potential of Ngannou giving Fury a challenging contest. Back in August 2017, McGregor stepped into the boxing ring to face the ring legend Mayweather, managing to hold on for 10 rounds before being stopped by Mayweather, who retired with an unblemished record of 50-0.
During a segment on his Hotboxin’ podcast, Tyson stated, “When you think about him [Ngannou] fighting Tyson Fury, consider this… Conor McGregor went toe-to-toe with Floyd Mayweather, the greatest fighter of his generation and potentially of all time. If that can occur, why can’t Ngannou put up a worthy fight against Tyson Fury?”
Tyson further highlighted Mayweather’s unparalleled technique and style, emphasizing the similarities in Ngannou’s endeavor.
He continued, “Floyd Mayweather stands as the pinnacle of technique and style in the boxing world. Given that McGregor showcased commendable performance and held his ground, why should we discount Ngannou’s chances? Respect for McGregor’s efforts is unanimous; no one is undermining his achievements.”
Ngannou, known for his incredible punching power, possesses a punch force that rivals the impact of being struck by a speeding Ford Escort. Critics from the boxing community have cast doubts on the crossover, citing Ngannou’s limited boxing experience. However, Ngannou remains confident, asserting that a potent punch from him could prove detrimental to Fury’s chin.
Expressing his intent, Ngannou stated, “Should I land a decisive blow on Tyson Fury, I believe it will be lights out for him. The key lies in sharpening the technique to deliver that knockout punch effectively. Possessing the power is one thing; channeling it accurately is another. This is where the guidance of individuals like Mike Tyson becomes crucial.”