Tyson Fury may be a huge betting favorite to defeat Francis Ngannou in their upcoming boxing match in Saudi Arabia, but “The Gypsy King’s” confidence extends beyond the bounds of the Queensberry Rules.
Fury and Ngannou spoke ahead of their October 28 meeting in Riyadh during a special launch press conference in London, England, where the local man was in bullish mood ahead of the bout. So much so, that Fury even predicted an easy win if they met under MMA rules.
“I think I can beat you in the cage,” said Fury, who was in full flow during the press conference.
“I would kick your ass in the cage, no problem, 100 percent. I’ll personally beat you in the boxing ring, and kick your ass in the cage. One hundred percent. I’ll beat you at boxing, and then I’ll beat you in the cage, no problem.”
Ngannou’s response to Fury’s bold claims was simply to smile and tell him to concentrate on their boxing meeting on October 28.
The pair are set to face off in the Saudi capital in a bout billed as “The Battle of the Baddest”, but the deck is stacked in Fury’s favor, with the reigning WBC heavyweight king facing a man who has never boxed professionally before.
Despite the colossal experience discrepancy, Ngannou exuded a quiet confidence during the press conference as he let Fury sound off without getting embroiled in too many back-and-forth exchanges.
Aside from his bold claims about defeating Ngannou under MMA rules, Fury also showed respect to the former UFC champion, saying, “I’m absolutely honored to be fighting Francis. He’s going to be a very, very good fighting man. You can see that he’s massive. He’s in shape. He’s going to be a real challenge.”
Fury elaborated on that challenge as he explained that, while he’s seen almost every boxing style as a heavyweight, he’s expecting to face something completely different in Ngannou, who has been training with former undisputed heavyweight king Mike Tyson ahead of the matchup.
“It’s something different for me,” Fury admitted.
“I’m used to boxing boxers and boxing the head off somebody. But fighting an MMA guy who comes in with a different style is going to be different.”
Fury also paid tribute to Ngannou for his journey through life and fighting to reach this stage in his career, and said that he’d leave no stone unturned to make sure he’s in prime shape for the bout.
“I can’t wait for it. It’s going to be an absolutely fantastic event,” he said.
“I’m honored that I’m a part of it, and I’m honored that Francis is a part of it. I’ve got to take my hat off to Francis for his story, where he’s come from, the fight, the grind, the determination, and everything he’s put into it to get to where he is.
“I will give Francis the respect that he deserves as a warrior, as a man, and as a world champion. He’s a big man. He’s very strong and powerful. And it’s in my interest to give it the 100 percent training in camp and bring in the best sparring possible for me.”
Photo credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images
