Would You Take A Beating For $10 Million?

Mike Tyson’s Training Won’t Save Francis Ngannou From Tyson Fury

I suppose when the paycheque is that good, it’s pretty damn hard to say no. But to date, there have been very few success stories whenever a mixed martial artist crosses over to pure boxing.

Granted, this is mostly due to the fact that clickbait cretins like Jake Paul have largely been targeting grapplers or the elderly. Although it is worth noting that one of Paul’s victims, the legendary Anderson Silva, actually managed to score a split decision victory against former WBC middleweight titleholder Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

And while he was TKO’d by Floyd Mayweather Jr in the tenth round of their much-hyped encounter, one could argue the millions Conor McGregor pocketed — which essentially set both his future business ventures and himself up for life — counts as a win.

So imagine our surprise (and eyerolls) when we heard former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was squaring up against undefeated great and WBC king: Tyson Fury.

Now on paper, someone could argue this match-up makes sense. A closer examination of the material facts, however, paints a rather lopsided affair.

In one corner, you have a man who is a proper physical specimen and — yes — reputedly holds the record for the world’s hardest punch; who could forget how he lifted Alistair Overeem off his feet with that nasty uppercut?

But in the other, you have one of the 21st century’s most dominant heavyweight boxers. A technician of the highest order who glides on the canvas with the stunning grace of a Baryshnikov-trained ballerina; punches with the force of a speeding hatchback; and has prevailed time and time again in spite of being built like a bloody forklift operator from Essex.

Throw in the fact that Ngannou has, until recently, displayed a blatant disregard for boxing fundamentals (see: below), and his slim-to-none chances against Fury drop to virtually zero.

The final nail was driven into the balsawood coffin this past month when footage of Francis Ngannou being coached by the one and only Mike Tyson surfaced (see: top of this email).

Since then, everyone from ex-boxing champ turned pundit Carl Froch to prolific promoter Eddie Hearn has come forward to publicly vivisect Ngannou’s “amateurish” form; with particular regard to his entirely anaemic jab.

“Listen, this is a f***ing sparring session, probably the easiest spar [Fury] ever had,” said Froch.

“I don’t care that Ngannou can punch. A mule can kick really hard, but he’s never going to be able to line it up.”

"Tyson Fury's gonna play with him,” added Hearn.

"Johnny Fisher (10-0) is the Southern Area champion. Fisher vs Ngannou is a total mismatch. Fisher would have him out of there in a round."

John Fury, outspoken father of Tyson, was practically the first to note: “I hope he's kidding along and he's playing possum here. I hope that's a joke and intended to be a laugh… He won't get out the first round, it's probably gonna be Tyson's quickest knockout.

"That's embarrassing. If that's what he can do on a public workout, don't bother doing a public workout. It's a disgrace."

By all accounts, Tyson Fury would be better off focusing on the real fight at hand: his upcoming bout against fellow heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk. Although for $10 million apiece (minimum), there are certainly worse arrangements for a tune-up.

— GL

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