Tag: boxing

Francis Ngannou calls for another fight with Tyson Fury next: ‘The rematch is what I want next the most’

Francis Ngannou calls for rematch with Tyson Fury in next fight it's what I want nextReflecting on his stunning performance en route to an eventual decision loss to incumbent WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury…

Francis Ngannou calls for rematch with Tyson Fury in next fight it's what I want next

Reflecting on his stunning performance en route to an eventual decision loss to incumbent WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury earlier this month, former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou claims a rematch with the Morecambe native is top of his list of fights he wants to secure next.

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight titleholder under the banner of the UFC, made his professional boxing debut over the course of last weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, taking Fury the distance over the course of 10 rounds in the Middle East, dropping a hugely controversial split decision loss to the incumbent WBC champion.

Turning heads firmly with his performance, Ngannou managed to shock the mixed martial arts and boxing worlds alike in the third round, dropping Fury with a massive knockdown – courtesy of a left hook. 

And following his fight with Fury, Ngannou has been the subject of much speculation regarding his next walk to the squared circle – in the form of either a boxing fight with Deontay Wilder or a mixed martial arts clash with the former WBC gold holder in a PFL debut, as well as a showdown with Anthony Joshua.

However, as far as the Cameroonian heavyweight is concerned, if he can secure an immediate rematch with Fury – that’s the bout he wants to ink a deal on next.

Francis Ngannou calls for rematch with Tyson Fury

“The rematch – the rematch [with Tyson Fury] is what I want next the most,” Francis Ngannou told TMZ Sports during a recent interview. “Right now, I feel like there’s a lot of options for me, but I want to choose wisely and I will go for the rematch first.” 

Sharing his thoughts on his controversial decision loss to Fury, Ngannou claimed that if the former was totally honest, he would admit he likely should have lost his undefeated record in Saudi Arabia.

“If he’s (Tyson Fury) being honest, he would say I won that fight,” Francis Ngannou said. “I won that fight – there’s not a question about it. But, you know – and even before getting here [Saudi Arabia], I knew, I knew like, if this fight goes to decision, I’m not winning. Not because I didn’t do good, because I’m the new guy in the house.” 

“I just come here and I wanna kick into people’s business,” Francis Ngannou explained. “I know, there is a structure of business out there, and you need to do a lot to destroy it, that’s why it would have been an upset for them. But, it is what it is, I do my job. I know that I did everything that I could have done, I did my best. Maybe next time, I should just do better to convince people more.” 

Do you want to see Francis Ngannou fight Tyson Fury again in the future?

Report – Tyson Fury now set to fight Oleksandr Usyk in February amid damage suffered in Francis Ngannou clash

Tyson Fury now set to fight Oleksandr Usyk in February after suffering cuts in Francis Ngannou boutAmid a difficult outing against former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou last weekend in Saudi Arabia, undisputed WBC heavyweight…

Tyson Fury now set to fight Oleksandr Usyk in February after suffering cuts in Francis Ngannou bout

Amid a difficult outing against former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou last weekend in Saudi Arabia, undisputed WBC heavyweight championship holder, Tyson Fury is now expected to fight with fellow titleholder, Oleksandr Usyk in a title unification bout in February of next year – following the initial cancellation of their December 23. clash. 

Fury, who headlined a Riyadh Season card in the Middle East over the course of last weekend, managed to land a close, hugely-debated split decision win over Cameroonian knockout artist and professional boxing debutante, Francis Ngannou over the course of 10 rounds.

However, it proved far from plain sailing for Morecambe native, Tyson Fury throughout the bout, with the British heavyweight suffering a shocking knockdown in the third round, courtesy of a check left hook from Ngannou in close, resulting in a 10-8 round in favor of Ngannou. 

And in the immediate aftermath of his hard-fought win over Ngannou, Fury, who had suffered a cut on his forehead and a significant blackened eye, was met in the ring by Usyk – before his promoter, Frank Warren confirmed a December 23. fight would be shelved.

“It will go ahead but it will not be on the 23rd.” Frank Warren told said. “It was crazy for some people to suggest that it could still go ahead on the 23rd. … Fury said in the ring he would fight on the 23rd – and he would do it – but he needs protecting from himself and that’s my job.” 

Tyson Fury – Oleksandr Usyk clash pushed to February

And according to a report from ESPN this week, Fury is now expected to fight Ukraine favorite, Usyk in February instead of the end this year – with the pairing still expected to take part in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to boot. 

Who wins in February in Saudi Arabia: Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk?

Sean O’Malley reveals talks with UFC regarding future Boxing fight amid links to clash with Devin Haney

Sean O'Malley reveals talks with UFC about future boxing matches with Devin HaneyUndisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has revealed he has held talks with the UFC regarding a potential future move…

Sean O'Malley reveals talks with UFC about future boxing matches with Devin Haney

Undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has revealed he has held talks with the UFC regarding a potential future move to professional boxing in the future – amid continued links to ventures to the squared circle against world championship punchers, Devin Haney, and Gervonta Davis.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, has been sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC 292 back in August of this year, landing the divisional title with a stunning second round knockout win over dominant gold holder, Aljamain Sterling in his first headlining fight.

In the time since, the Montana native, who initially welcomed a quickfire return and title fight turnaround against former-foe, Marlon Vera at UFC 296 in December – has been left off the card in favor his own headlining fight in 2024. 

“I really, really did truly want to fight in December,” Sean O’Malley said. “Like when I called out ‘Chito’ (Marlon Vera) in December, but I talked to UFC and they kind of already had [plans]. They were trying to get Colby (Covington) and Leon (Edwards) together.”

“I asked them [the UFC] – they want me to main event my own show, which I think it’s f*cking dope,” Sean O’Malley explained. “I’m down with that. I think UFC 300 is in April. That would be a sweet card to be on, but again, they’re not going [to want me as main event]. I’m going to guess [I’ll fight] before that, before UFC 300.”

Sean O’Malley pursues future boxing challenge

Furthermore, off the back of former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou’s stunning performance in a controversial split decision loss to WBC gold holder, Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut over the course of the weekend, O’Malley claims he has held talks with the Dana White-led promotion regarding his own move to boxing.

“I talked to the UFC about potential boxing fights someday and they’re like, ‘No one knows Devin Haney. There’s zero percent chance that ever happens.’” Sean O’Malley said on his podcast. “He’s just not a star and no one knows him. No one knows between him and Gervonta Davis, you go ask some random person which ones which they’d be like [I don’t know].”

Would you like to see Sean O’Malley enter the boxing ring in the future?

Jon Jones heaps praise on arch rival Francis Ngannou after Tyson Fury fight: ‘I thought he did great’

Jon Jones praises Francis Ngannou on boxing fight with Tyson Fury I thought he did greatIncumbent heavyweight champion, Jon Jones has praised the performance and display of his bitter rival, Francis Ngannou after the…

Jon Jones praises Francis Ngannou on boxing fight with Tyson Fury I thought he did great

Incumbent heavyweight champion, Jon Jones has praised the performance and display of his bitter rival, Francis Ngannou after the former UFC heavyweight gold holder went the distance in a hard-fought, controversial split decision defeat to WBC champion, Tyson Fury over the course of the weekend in his professional boxing debut.

Jones, a former two-time undisputed light heavyweight champion, current heavyweight titleholder, and pound-for-pound number one, clinched the title vacated by the above-mentioned, Ngannou back in March against common-foe, Ciryl Gane, submitting the Frenchman with a first round guillotine choke submission win.

Recently forced out of a planned return at UFC 295 next month at Madison Square Garden, Jones suffered a pectoral tendon tear ahead of the New York fight with Stipe Miocic, resulting in the introduction of another interim title into the heavyweight fray. 

As for Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion made his professional boxing debut over the course of the weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – dropping Fury with a stunning third round knockdown, en route to a close, and hugely-debated split decision defeat to the Morecambe native.

Jon Jones heaps praise on former UFC rival, Francis Ngannou

Receiving huge plaudits for his efforts in his first ever venture to the squared circle, Ngannou’s outing and showing has been praised heavily by Jones – who claimed the display opened many doors for the future, to many’s surprise within the mixed martial arts community.

“I thought he (Francis Ngannou) did great,” Jon Jones replied to a user on his official X account. “I’m glad the fight was competitive. Opens so many doors for everyone in the future.”

Do you agree with Jon Jones’ praise aimed at Francis Ngannou?

Alex Pereira mocks Israel Adesanya’s planned 2027 return to UFC: ‘Maybe I’ll do a boxing fight in 2027’

Alex Pereira mocks Israel Adesanya UFC hiatus maybe I'll do a boxing fight in 2027Appearing to take another dig at long-standing rival, former two-time middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesanya amid the former’s claim of…

Alex Pereira mocks Israel Adesanya UFC hiatus maybe I'll do a boxing fight in 2027

Appearing to take another dig at long-standing rival, former two-time middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesanya amid the former’s claim of corruption during his boxing career – fellow former division champion, Alex Pereira has claimed maybe he would pursue a 2027 return akin to Adesanya, inside the squared circle. 

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC, is slated to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 295 next month at Madison Square Garden, taking on former light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka in a massive vacant title fight in ‘The Big Apple’.

Sidelined since he co-headlined UFC 291 back in July, Alex Pereira landed a return to the winner’s enclosure with a title-eliminator win over former champion and common-foe to Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz, in a close split decision win.

As for Adesanya, the City Kickboxing staple has yet to return to the Octagon since he dropped his middleweight crown for the second time in the space of a year back in September, suffering a shock upset decision loss to common-opponent, Sean Strickland. 

Alex Pereira appears to fire shots at Israel Adesanya again

And claiming he would not return to mixed martial arts competition until 2027, Adesanya pointed at apparent corruption in his close friend, Francis Ngannou’s split decision loss to WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury – akin to his own time in the squared circle.

“Boxing as a sport is beautiful,” Israel Adesanya posted on his official X account. “Boxing as a business is corrupt as f*ck! For example… March 2015, in this clip I get illegally hit and my opponent doesn’t get a point deducted. I rock him and put him on the canvas and it’s considered a slip. I throw a superman punch rocking him again and get warned cuz my foot was off the ground and it’s “illegal”. They must not know about David Tua’s leaping left hook. Anywhore (sic), I’ve done my time in boxing as a “rookie” to the game and it felt easy to me. I decided to pursue MMA because in my heart as a kickboxer I knew some nerd in pj’s made of sandpaper could beat me without throwing a single strike. Having to learn a whole new set of skills from scratch was very humbling, but it paid off in the long run. It was fun but I’ll never box again, I prefer to use all my weapons in a real fight.” 

And likely in response to Adesanya’s post, Brazilian favorite, Alex Pereira posted “Maybe I’ll do a boxing fight in 2027” on his official Instagram account.

Would you like to see Alex Pereira fight Israel Adesanya again in the future?

Francis Ngannou makes stunning offer to fight UFC foe Stipe Miocic next after boxing clash with Tyson Fury

Francis Ngannou makes stunning offer to fight Stipe Miocic next after Tyson Fury boxing matchFormer undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has made a stunning offer to complete his trilogy rubber match against…

Francis Ngannou makes stunning offer to fight Stipe Miocic next after Tyson Fury boxing match

Former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has made a stunning offer to complete his trilogy rubber match against former two-time titleholder, Stipe Miocic in his return to MMA – before pursuing a long-awaited fight with Jon Jones, following a spectacular boxing debut against Tyson Fury over the course of the weekend.

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, departed the Dana White-led organization back in January of this year, following the completion of his contractual obligations the December prior.

Inking a multi-fight deal with the PFL (Professional Fighters League) in the time since, Ngannou made his return to combat sports over the course of the weekend in a 10-round professional boxing match debut against WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury – scoring a stunning third round knockdown en route to a debated split debated loss to the Morecambe native.

Claiming he believes he won the fight with Fury – a well as maintaining that if the former was honest, he would admit he should have lost a decision to boot, Ngannou has been backed by many to continue his boxing vein, in the form of a potential sophomore outing against former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder next.

Francis Ngannou offers to fight Stipe Miocic next

As for the immediate future, the former UFC heavyweight champion has made a bold offer to fight Ohio veteran and two-time opponent, Miocic off the back of his removal from UFC 295 earlier this month, before continuing his pursuit of a long-awaited showdown with Jones.

“I’ve been calling out (Jon) Jones but I can take Stipe (Miocic) for the same occasion while waiting on JJ to get back,” Francis Ngannou posted on his official X account. 

Would you like to see Francis Ngannou fight Stipe Miocic in a trilogy fight?