Mike Tyson’s name is etched in heavyweight history after becoming the youngest ever world champion in the division.
A fearsome puncher and rapid mover, Tyson scored 44 knockouts from a total of 50 wins, 35 of which were in the early rounds. The Brooklyn native had a total of nine title defences in the sport’s top division.
That experience is high in demand, and he was recently drafted in by MMA star, Francis Ngannou, to help prepare him for his boxing debut – made all the more demanding since it’s against undefeated world champion and namesake of said legend, Tyson Fury.
Not many are giving the former UFC champion a shot, having seen fighters try and fail to crossover to boxing before. His new trainer is full of confidence, though.
Speaking to ES News, ‘Iron’ Mike said Ngannou’s work was ‘beautiful’ before saying fans were in for a surprise.
“We gonna shock the world. If he hits him it will be [a knockout.]”
Fury has caught flack for the decision to face Ngannou from boxing fans and fellow fighters as it means he will likely not defend his WBC world title at all in 2023.
The crossover bout will land on each man’s professional record, and both are set to earn mega-money for facing off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
If Mike Tyson’s prediction isn’t just bravado and somehow comes off, it would rank alongside the biggest upsets the sport of boxing has ever seen. Fury would have plenty of explaining to do, and his stock would drop dramatically.
It’s a big if in the eyes of the pretty much the entire sport, and the Brit is expected to keep his ‘0’ and move towards some more traditional heavyweight clashes thereafter.