Dry and powerful knocks resonate in a room with black walls of Las Vegasin front of a small and fascinated audience: the star of the mixed martial arts (MMA) Francis Ngannou prepares for a boxing match against the champion Tyson Fury assisted by American legend Mike Tyson.
The Cameroonian Ngannou37 years old and former heavyweight champion of the UFC (main league of MMA), surprised by scheduling a lucrative and intriguing boxing match against Furythe “Gipsy King”, king of the heavyweight, scheduled for October 28 in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
Tuesday’s trade, in the southwest of Las Vegas (Nevada), coach Dewey Coopercovered with protections, is placed in front of Ngannoua true mountain with white gloves (1.93 m, almost 120 kilos in weight).
Left-right, hook-uppercut, Cooper He leads a precise dance that makes the champion’s fists speak.
Further back, with a black and white cap on his head, Mike Tyson57 years old, intervenes from time to time to correct movements under the watchful eye of the disciple Ngannou.
“He comes from time to time to lend a hand, to contribute his experience. I expressly asked him four years ago, long before the fight was announced, the first time I met him”the Cameroonian explained in a calm voice to the twenty media present. “There is something inspiring and motivating about him. If I could ever have a little bit of what he has, boxing would be very easy for me.”
Ngannouwhich calls Tyson his “idol”, has no professional record in boxing. Nicknamed “The Predator”, he gained a reputation as a formidable puncher by becoming the heavyweight champion of the UFCa title he retained until his departure in January after several public clashes with the president of the organization, Dana White.
The Cameroonian, who won 17 of his 20 professional fights in the UFC12 of them by knockout, assures that he will earn more money with this fight against Fury than in his entire career in that organization.
Ngannou insists that he takes this boxing fight very seriously, a sport he practiced before coming to France in 2012 and discover mixed martial arts.
“He is all about fighting, he works hard, I think people are going to be surprised”said Tyson from the ring with a hoarse and barely audible voice. “I don’t know if Fury is nervous, but he would do well to be.”
“I am very proud of him (Ngannou), he faces perhaps the best boxer in the world. I am looking forward to seeing him take that step towards that impossible feat”he claimed Tyson.
For his part, the eccentric Fury35 years old, remains undefeated in the ring (33 wins and one draw) and is the current great dominator of the heavyweights in a checkered career that includes episodes of depression, drug abuse and several entries and exits from retirement.
Champion of World Boxing Council (WBC)the British will not put his belt at stake against Ngannouin a fight that will be played “according to official rules”.
Despite the apparent imbalance, “Anything can happen in heavyweights”warns the Franco-Cameroonian Carlos Takamanother reference in the category at 42 years old, winner of his last fight in March against the Frenchman Tony Yoka in Paris.
“We’re talking about mastodons, guys who can throw a 250-pound punch at you. Don’t be surprised if something happens during this fight. If Francis lands his punch well, Tyson Fury takes it and doesn’t get back up.”it states Takam.
The boxer has been preparing with Ngannou since the beginning of August in Las Vegas for one of the opening bouts on October 28 in Riyadh against the congolese Martin Bakole.
“Three months ago, nobody believed it”says Ngannou about accusations that it is a “bad decision” what could “ruin his career”.
“And yet, here we are, talking about the greatest fight in history”smiles the colossus, who will also continue his career in the MMA after signing a contract with the organization PFLcompetitor of the UFC.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
