Tyson Fury has sensationally confirmed that he will fight UFC champion Francis Ngannou next year in a Las Vegas bout that will "break all PPV records in the United States."
Last month, Fury asked UFC president Dana White to organise a crossover boxing match with the Cameroon-born fighter but instead of lacing up the standard 12-ounce gloves, 'The Gyspy King' wants to throw hands with Ngannou wearing MMA attire.
Ngannou, meanwhile, appears to be keen on a potential match-up in the ring amid a growing feud between the UFC heavyweight and his employers, with contract negotiations believed to have reached a stalemate.
Now, in an interview with iFL TV via The Manchester Evening News, Fury has suggested that a bout will take place between the pair in February or March next year.
Advert
"I am going to fight Francis Ngannou in Las Vegas next year - in March or February," he said. "There's been no talks this year, because I have got some boxing to do.
"But next year we can have some crazy fights. It's a massive fight - I believe it breaks all pay-per-view records in the United States.
"Two heavyweight champions going head to head."
Ngannou has recently spoken about making the switch to heavyweight boxing. “It’s always been down the line; this is something that I’m not taking my eyes off," the 35-year-old reigning UFC heavyweight champion told TMZ.
Advert
“This is going [to] happen either way. Even if I stay... If, or when, the UFC and I finalise a deal, the boxing part has to be in it. I can’t see myself retiring without boxing.
“I would like to test myself to their level. It’s not the same sport, but I’m the champion, so I’m in the top in this division.
"At the end of the day, it’s just about throwing hands, throwing punches, having a good delivery system to throw those bombs. I’m sure that if I deliver my own punches pretty good, I can [do] some damage.”
So who would come out on top in a boxing fight between Fury and Ngannou? Well, UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall believes there is one clear winner.
Advert
“In all honesty, no, he [Ngannou] can’t. He can’t be competitive” he told Sky Sports.
“It doesn’t translate. Speaking first hand here, as someone who has sparred with a lot of high level boxer and rounds with Tyson Fury, I don’t think MMA translates to pure boxing as well as a lot of MMA fighters think it will.
“Those guys have been doing 12 rounds forever. They know how to control their energy. It’s not just punching; a lot of boxing for MMA is predominantly just punching. Boxing is just punching, but there’s so much more to it.
“They’re so clever with the moves that they do, the way they control their energy for 12 rounds, when to go and when not to go and how to get out the way of shots.
Advert
“How to ride the punches, how to turn their punches over and how to hit to the body. A whole load of stuff MMA fighters don’t understand.”
Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Instagram - francisngannouTopics: Boxing, UFC, Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou
