Tag: Tyson Fury

Exclusive – John Fury claims Francis Ngannou fight was ‘Wake-Up call’ Tyson Fury needed ahead of title return

John Fury claims Francis Ngannou fight was a wake-up call for Tyson Fury ahead of title returnJohn Fury, the father of reigning WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, says the close call with Francis Ngannou…

John Fury claims Francis Ngannou fight was a wake-up call for Tyson Fury ahead of title return

John Fury, the father of reigning WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, says the close call with Francis Ngannou was the “kick in the backside” they both needed.

In October, ‘The Gypsy King’ returned to the squared circle for a clash with former UFC heavyweight titleholder Francis Ngannou who was making his professional boxing debut. Fury entered the bout as a massive favorite, but it didn’t take long for those odds to flip once the two men started throwing hands. Not only did Ngannou go toe-to-toe through 10 entertaining rounds, but he also sent Fury crashing to the canvas in the third via a counter-left.

Tyson Fury survives massive scare knockdown to beat Francis Ngannou in split decision win Highlights
Mandatory Credit: Justin Setterfield

In the end, Fury walked away with his undefeated record intact, escaping with a closely contested and much-maligned split decision.

John Fury describes Ngannou – Fury bout as a “wake-up call”

Speaking with Murdo Todd in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview, John Fury who is sponsored by FreeBets, revealed that the fight with Francis Ngannou was a wake-up call for him and Tyson Fury.

“Things happen in this life for a reason and sometimes people need a wake-up call, don’t they? A kick in the backside,” Fury said. “That’s what that was, but it put him in good stead for what’s happening next month. He had 10 good rounds. It wasn’t easy. He boxed a very capable man in Ngannou. You’re going to see a lot more damage from Ngannou in the heavyweight division in the future. I’m sure of it.

“[Tyson] has done what he had to do. He’s got to go to another level and do what’s right, but he had a bad day at the office, but Tyson can still win on a bad night. Two in the morning ring walk, all different… What can you do? These things are sent to try us, but as long as he’s learned from it, he still got the win and he can move on. Learn what you do wrong. Learn by your mistakes and you can improve on life.

“I’m sure he’s done that. I can’t tell you what’s happening in the training camp because I’ve not been there, but I’m sure they’ve had the wake-up call just like I have. If they haven’t, they shouldn’t be in the job. That’s as much as I can say.”

Tyson Fury will face another tough test on Saturday, February 17 when he meets reigning WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a long-awaited clash for the unified heavyweight world title.

The bout will emanate from Riyadh in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the same location where Fury fought Ngannou last year.

Video – Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk cinematic ‘Ring of Fire’ trailer released ahead of Feb. 17 clash

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr UsykTyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk is shaping up to be one of the biggest fights in heavyweight boxing history….

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk is shaping up to be one of the biggest fights in heavyweight boxing history.

On Saturday, February 17, the long-awaited title unification clash will go down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight titleholder, squares off with Usky who sits as the current WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight world champion.

To get fight fans hyped up for their epic battle, Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, released a cinematic trailer inspired by some of Hollywood’s biggest motion pictures, including Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean.

“The long-awaited undisputed heavyweight battle #RingOfFire between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is set to unfold,” Alalshikh wrote on X. “Let’s get ready to RUUUUUMBLLEEEEEEE.”

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk: Someone’s ‘O’ Has Got to Go

Both fighters go into the highly anticipated showdown with undefeated records. ‘The Gypsy King’ is 34-0 with 24 of his victories coming by way of knockout. Usyk is 21-0 with 14 wins via KO. The Ukrainian sensation rides into Riyadh fresh off back-to-back wins against Anthony Joshua and a ninth-round finish of Daniel Dubois in his last three outings.

Tyson Fury will be making his first appearance in the ring since narrowly escaping with a split decision win over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in October.

Video – Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk cinematic ‘Ring of Fire’ trailer released ahead of Feb. 17 clash

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr UsykTyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk is shaping up to be one of the biggest fights in heavyweight boxing history….

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk is shaping up to be one of the biggest fights in heavyweight boxing history.

On Saturday, February 17, the long-awaited title unification clash will go down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight titleholder, squares off with Usky who sits as the current WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight world champion.

To get fight fans hyped up for their epic battle, Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, released a cinematic trailer inspired by some of Hollywood’s biggest motion pictures, including Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean.

“The long-awaited undisputed heavyweight battle #RingOfFire between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is set to unfold,” Alalshikh wrote on X. “Let’s get ready to RUUUUUMBLLEEEEEEE.”

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk: Someone’s ‘O’ Has Got to Go

Both fighters go into the highly anticipated showdown with undefeated records. ‘The Gypsy King’ is 34-0 with 24 of his victories coming by way of knockout. Usyk is 21-0 with 14 wins via KO. The Ukrainian sensation rides into Riyadh fresh off back-to-back wins against Anthony Joshua and a ninth-round finish of Daniel Dubois in his last three outings.

Tyson Fury will be making his first appearance in the ring since narrowly escaping with a split decision win over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in October.

Ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou backed to fight Tyson Fury in future rematch clash: ‘he’s earned it’

Francis Ngannou backed to fight Tyson Fury in rematch he's earned it UFCFormer undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has been backed to rematch unbeaten WBC heavyweight boxing titleholder, Tyson Fury…

Francis Ngannou backed to fight Tyson Fury in rematch he's earned it UFC

Former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has been backed to rematch unbeaten WBC heavyweight boxing titleholder, Tyson Fury in the future – according to a Top Rank exec, who claims the Cameroonian’s performance against the latter back in October “earned” him a re-run with the Morecambe native.

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the UFC banner, put pen to paper on a multi-fight deal with the PFL (Professional Fighters League) at the beginning of the year, following his departure from the Dana White-led organization.

Francis Ngannou backed to fight Tyson Fury again

Yet to make good on a debut with the North American-based mixed martial arts promotion, Ngannou made a professional boxing debut back in October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, headlining a pay-per-view card in the Middle East – in an eventual split decision loss to Fury, with many pundits and critics calling the result dubious and controversial.

And maintaining he would fight Fury again in the future in a potential boxing rematch, Batié native, Ngannou has been backed to do just that – according to Top Rank boss, Todd DuBoef – through his October display in Saudi Arabia.

“That’s an earned ability to get the rematch,” Todd DuBoef told Sky Sports. “He (Francis Ngannou) earned that. I think Tyson (Fury) is regretful. He blamed himself. He thought he had an off night. He said, ‘I took it lightly, it was all one me.’ Didn’t point fingers, which was good.”

“Ngannou outperformed anybody’s expectation and as a result of that, you have all the components to say, hey, I want to see this again and that creates and warrants a rematch,” DuBoef continued. 

Booking his own return to the squared circle before the end of this year, Fury will take on Ukrainian favorite and unbeaten world champion, Oleksandr Usyk in the Middle East in a long-anticipated heavyweight title unification bout in February – with the event billed as ‘Ring of Fire’.

Who wins in a future rematch: Francis Ngannou or Tyson Fury?

Ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou maintains he won controversial boxing fight with Tyson Fury: ‘Definitely, I was robbed’

Francis Ngannou claims he was definitely robbed in boxing fight with Tyson FuryWeeks on from his controversial professional boxing match with undisputed WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury last month, former undisputed…

Francis Ngannou claims he was definitely robbed in boxing fight with Tyson Fury

Weeks on from his controversial professional boxing match with undisputed WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury last month, former undisputed UFC heavyweight kingpin, Francis Ngannou has claimed he was “robbed” by judges – as he dropped a hugely-controversial split decision defeat.

Ngannou, a former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, headlined a Riyadh Season event in Saudi Arabia last month, suffering a hugely contentious split decision loss to the unbeaten, Fury – over the course of 10 rounds in the Middle East.

Turning in a valiant effort against the Morecambe native, Ngannou managed to shock the mixed martial arts and boxing communities alike – landing a massive knockdown in the third round courtesy of a left hook.

Francis Ngannou claims he was “robbed” in Tyson Fury fight

Claiming in the immediate aftermath of his decision loss to Fury that if the Morecambe native were honest, he would admit he should have lost on the scorecards, Ngannou has further claimed he was “robbed” by the judges.

“Who am I gonna appeal to? I have no chance,” Francis Ngannou told Paper Route. “I think that’s just another way of humiliation.Definitely, I was robbed. “But, also I have an understanding that you can’t just walk in and disrupt a system like that. I think it was a very bad look for boxing, for everything – and there was a lot of business involved. So, some judged just sacrificed themself and take the hit, and save the face. But, they know that that was a dirty job. There wasn’t even a judging, they wasn’t even judging those fights. There was just like, ‘Okay, we’re not going to lose.’”

“I think even if there was a knockout, they would have found a way to make me lost that fight – because I should have won that fight,” Francis Ngannou continued. “The guy give me elbow. He elbowed me and they didn’t even – yeah – and, the referee didn’t even say anything. If that elbow had hurt me? I’m sure they would have count that as a punch and give him a decision, right.” 

Despite his feelings toward his first bout with Fury – Batié knockout artist, Ngannou has staked his claim for a rematch with the incumbent WBC heavyweight champion as soon as next year. 

Would you like to see Tyson Fury fight Francis Ngannou again next year?

Ariel Helwani Claims Ngannou-Fury Fight Brought in Over 400,000 Buys Worldwide: ‘You’re ignoring all these numbers’

Ariel HelwaniRenowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani is disputing recent reports that Francis Ngannou’s professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in…

Ariel Helwani

Renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani is disputing recent reports that Francis Ngannou’s professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in Riyadh bombed.

Since walking away from an offer that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history, Francis Ngannou has been continuously doubted. Fans and even some of his peers thought he was foolish for turning down Dana White’s offer. Many claimed he “fumbled the bag” after turning down massive deals with the BKFC and ONE Championship.

Even after signing a ground-breaking deal with the Professional Fighters League and bagging a big-money fight with Fury, ‘The Predator’ was still the subject of significant criticism.

Now, the boo-birds have a new narrative, reporting that Ngannou’s critically acclaimed performance against ‘The Gypsy King’ only brought in 67,000 pay-per-view buys. Everywhere you turn, that number, which was first reported by Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, seems to be all anyone wants to talk about.

However, Ariel Helwani says that’s only one small piece of the puzzle.

During Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour, Helwani reiterated that the numbers being reported by Meltzer only include purchases of the event on ESPN+ and through U.S. cable and satellite providers, completely ignoring how the event did around the world.

“The new thing is that [Ngannou] bombed on pay-per-view,” Helwani began. “Let me explain a couple of things to you because there’s a lot of new people to the fight game. Number one; the A-side was Tyson Fury so if anyone is to be blamed, it’s Tyson, and he should not be blamed. I believe the way they announced it. Having it on Saturday afternoon… All these things are factors, but that doesn’t even matter because I see a lot of people posting this 67,000 number and using that as some sort of gotcha moment.

“That number that you keep seeing parrotted around isn’t the entire actual number, and I can’t believe I even have to sit here and explain this to all of you,” Helwani continued. “Again, the guy who was never even arguing in favor of the pay-per-view or not. It’s ESPN+ and U.S. numbers. That’s what that number is from Dave Meltzer who’s been doing this for a very long time.

“My sources tell me it’s a little bit above that, but let’s just say it’s nowhere above 100,000. That’s the ESPN+ on Saturday afternoon and American pay-per-view numbers. Completely ignoring the fact that it also on TNT Sports Box Office, aka the network formerly known as BT Sport, in the U.K. where Tyson is his biggest draw. That’s where he has the most drawing power. Ignoring that… Ignoring the Canada number, which I don’t think is a massive one, and ignoring the DAZN number which is everywhere, but the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland. You’re ignoring all these numbers.”

Ariel Helwani Offers His Global Estimate for Fury vs. Ngannou

So what exactly are those numbers? According to Helwani, the total number of pay-per-view buys is, at minimum, 400,000, but is likely to be significantly higher once all the receipts roll in.”

“Those numbers are still not 100 percent, but I can tell you with great certainty right now, and I’m being extremely conservative when I say this, the number you should be throwing in my face isn’t 67,000. It’s not even 100,000. The number you should be throwing in my face is 400,000, and I feel very confident it will be above that,” Helwani said.

“That’s at its base. 400k. You’re not seeing that number parrotted around and that’s fine. You might be saying, ‘400k? That’s nothing compared to what the UFC does.’ Okay, maybe, but that would also make it the highest-selling pay-per-view involving an MMA fighter in an event not promoted by the UFC.

“Obviously [Conor] McGregor and [Floyd] Mayweather did way more, but it was also promoted by the UFC.”