Former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has already made a dramatic entry into the world of boxing by knocking down Tyson Fury in his first ever fight, before taking the WBC world heavyweight boxing champion the distance, that’s twelve rounds.
Now, the Cameroun-born Ngannou is getting another shot at a high-profile heavyweight when he takes on Anthony Joshua, also in Saudi Arabia. It is the latest fight in Joshua’s journey back to relevance after back-to-back losses to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk saw him lose his titles and left his career at a crossroads.
It was one of the most striking sights in boxing for some time, as Ngannou was dancing a jig of delight while leaning over a floored and clearly dazed Tyson Fury.
For boxing purists, a disaster was unfolding. The question on the lips of most pundits was, “was a UFC fighter, in his first ever boxing bout, really about to knock out a reigning world heavyweight champion”?
Fury got up and wound up, eking out a heavily debated and unconvincing split-decision victory but while Ngannou did not have his arm raised as the winner, he had made a dramatic entry into the world of boxing, and managed to warm several hearts.
On Friday, the French-Camerounian, will get another chance to upset the established order — and potentially set himself up for another shot at Fury.
Ngannou is back in Saudi Arabia for the second fight of his crossover career, this time against another Brit, in former two-time world heavyweight champion, Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua.
Much of the pre-fight narrative is presuming a win for Joshua that would put him in line to fight Fury, provided Fury — the WBC champion — beats Oleksandr Usyk — the WBA, IBF and WBO champion — in their rearranged May 18 bout that will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000.
Ngannou is ready, though, to make more headlines in his fast-track bid to become a boxing champion so soon after dominating the UFC scene.
Culled from AP
Pic Courtesy AP
