Tyson Fury Looking to Mix It Up with MMA Champion Francis Ngannou
By all indicators, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (31-0-1, 22 KO’s) will next face interim WBC heavyweight champion Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte (28-2, 19 KO’s). The WBC essentially mandated this bout even before Fury staged his trilogy match with Deontay Wilder, and the upcoming victor was then still unknown.
Technically speaking, neither fighter has an issue with the opponent, yet the negotiations are experiencing a bit of gridlock. Top Rank head honcho, Bob Arum, says the halt in production is due to the unrealistic greed of Team Whyte. Being the restless soul that he is though, Fury has found another potential fight to contract in the meantime.
CROSS THIS LINE!
The Gypsy King has recently become ensnared in a Twitter war with MMA heavyweight Francis “The Predator” Ngannou. Fury has dedicated quite a few posts to challenging the menacing puncher to a showdown. Unsurprisingly, the WBC champion is quick to stipulate that he would require that the bout be staged in the squared-circle and adhere to boxing rules and regulations. Who can blame him though?
Claressa Shields has only lost one bout in her professional and amateur boxing career, combined. Even as fantastic an athlete as she is, however, it only took two fights in MMA for her to take a loss. Fury recognizes where his bread is buttered and he is going to stick with what works, if any bout with Ngannou is ever produced.
FUN BUT UNLIKELY
Of course the smart money is on the side of this fight not taking place. For one, similar to Fury, Ngannou has already alluded to the fact that he’d prefer MMA rules. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, I suppose. Also, even though negotiations are gummed up, Fury is still in official talks for a mandated bout. Given this overall viewpoint, it remains unlikely the fight will happen.
On the other hand, boxing has done some zany things and money certainly talks. If the YouTube sensation Paul brothers have taught us anything, hybrid and circus fights can garner a great deal of attention. Under the correct circumstances, they can produce a great deal of revenue. At the same time, as seen in Jake Paul’s hyped rematch with former MMA champion Tyrone Woodley, they can also have an abysmal night in the box office.
So, we’ll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out. In the meantime however, the back and forth on social media should provide some entertaining pastime!
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By: Bakari Simpson
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