Promoter Eddie Hearn has raised doubts about the competitiveness of the upcoming bout between former UFC champion Francis Ngannou and current WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Ngannou, who will be making his professional boxing debut, is set to face Fury in a non-title fight scheduled for October 28 in Saudi Arabia. Hearn, known for his involvement with boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez, believes that the Fury-Ngannou matchup will not be as competitive as the highly anticipated Mayweather-McGregor fight.
Hearn: Fury-Ngannou Will Be A lot Less Competitive Than Mayweather-McGregor https://t.co/fyhmC8VYZ9 pic.twitter.com/t1KBviJeWB
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) August 23, 2023
Eddie Hearn Has Some Reservations About Fury vs Ngannou Clash
In an interview, Hearn expressed his skepticism about Ngannou’s chances in the ring against Fury. Comparing it to the Mayweather-McGregor fight, Hearn stated, “When you actually see the fight, you’re going to realize very quickly as we did with Floyd and Conor, they can’t win. And that was a lot more competitive than this is going to be. Yes, one-punch knockout power and stuff like that, but it’s boxing vs. MMA. It’s absolutely irrelevant.”
Hearn further acknowledged Ngannou’s strategic move to secure a lucrative fight against Fury without having to prove himself in smaller bouts. According to Hearn, Ngannou has made the right decision by capitalizing on the intrigue surrounding the matchup. He stated, “He’s got the max as quickly as possible, without anybody having to see it. Because he could go in a small fight for less money and you go, ‘You actually can’t put this guy in the ring with Tyson. It’s actually a huge mismatch. So the mystery of ‘Is it a mismatch? Does he punch as hard as everyone says? Oh, he was once a boxer!’ makes you tune in.”
Hearn commended Ngannou for his strategy, describing him as a “lovely guy” who is set to make a significant amount of money from the fight. While acknowledging the potential power of Ngannou’s punches, Hearn maintained that the clash between a boxing champion like Fury and an MMA fighter like Ngannou would ultimately result in a lopsided contest.
The Fury-Ngannou fight has generated considerable curiosity among combat sports enthusiasts due to the contrasting backgrounds of the two fighters. Ngannou’s reputation for knockout power and his past experience as a boxer add an element of intrigue to the matchup. However, Hearn’s comments suggest that he views the fight as a mismatch, with Fury expected to dominate the proceedings.
Scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, the Fury-Ngannou fight will undoubtedly attract considerable attention from fans worldwide. As fight night approaches, the anticipation will only grow, with many eagerly awaiting the outcome of this unique clash between two formidable fighters from different combat disciplines.