Francis Ngannou is facing high expectations and pressure as he prepares for a historic match against boxer Tyson Fury. This crossover bout between an MMA fighter and a legitimate boxer has generated significant interest, but recent training videos have raised concerns among fans and critics.
Top Rank Boxing shared a training clip of Ngannou that drew criticism from fans and even garnered remarks from Tyson Fury’s father, John.
Ngannou’s questionable boxing skills
He expressed doubt about Ngannou’s training and referred to the trainer holding the pads as “so-called”. John Fury hopes that Ngannou is not taking the preparation lightly and that the footage is intended as a joke or a strategy.
“Just seen Francis Ngannou and Mike Tyson and that so-called trainer what’s got the pads on, seen the open workout,” John said on Instagram.
“I hope he’s kidding along and he’s playing possum here. I hope that’s a joke and intended to be a laugh.”
The highly anticipated bout between Ngannou and Fury is scheduled for October 28 in Saudi Arabia. After this fight, Ngannou is expected to return to MMA, where he is slated to compete in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) sometime in 2024.
The matchup between Ngannou and Fury has created significant buzz in combat sports, with many intrigued to see how an MMA fighter will fare against a top-tier boxer. However, the recent training footage has left fans and observers questioning Ngannou’s readiness for this historic challenge.