Georges St-Pierre displays a tempered enthusiasm for Francis Ngannou’s prospects.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Francis Ngannou, the reigning MMA heavyweight champion, is slated to contend against Tyson Fury, the standing boxing heavyweight champion, in an unprecedented crossover boxing match on Oct. 28 in Saudi Arabia. Ngannou had to step away from the UFC to secure this bout, a move that was widely ridiculed when the former heavyweight champion made it. With the fight now confirmed, St-Pierre couldn’t be more thrilled.
“I’m delighted for Francis, as this is going to earn him a substantial sum,” St-Pierre confessed to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “Likely far more than all his previous UFC fights combined. However, despite my heart leaning towards Francis, he’s up against the reigning champion, the pinnacle of his sport.
“Francis is venturing into another sport, so the odds are stacked against him. Nonetheless, you can never predict with certainty. A surprise heavy blow could turn the tables. But even with the odds not favoring him, my support lies with him.”
Although the financial particulars of the match have not been disclosed, Ngannou’s manager stated that “The Predator” stands to gain significantly more than he ever did as a UFC heavyweight champion. Yet, this comes at a cost. The fight will be conducted under boxing regulations, which decidedly gives Fury an edge. The odds seem to reflect this, with Fury being listed as a -1000 betting favorite against Ngannou. However, St-Pierre believes that Ngannou doesn’t necessarily have to emerge victorious from the fight to be deemed a winner. A good performance from Ngannou, according to St-Pierre, will suffice.
“Every competitor wants to win,” St-Pierre declared. “My sincere hope is that he secures this fight. But even a strong performance showcasing impressive skills, good form against the champion, and minimal brain damage could work in his favor, even if he loses. This fight is a significant financial opportunity, and could be very beneficial for him. The question remains, will it play out this way? Tyson Fury is highly skilled, and boxing is a highly specialized and constrained combat sport.”
St-Pierre goes on to comment that even if Ngannou cannot put up a strong competition and instead is comprehensively defeated by the world’s best heavyweight boxer, it wouldn’t be the worst outcome. In a reverse scenario, St-Pierre posits that Fury would be worse off than Ngannou currently is.
“If the same match were held in MMA, I’d predict Francis would need only one round,” St-Pierre mused. “Perhaps even less than one round. In three minutes, it would be over. Likely even less than three minutes. In a boxing match, I’m certain that Francis can outlast Tyson Fury far longer than Fury could endure against Francis in an MMA setting.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about boxing match
What is the crossover boxing match between Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury?
The crossover boxing match is a highly anticipated bout between Francis Ngannou, the lineal MMA heavyweight champion, and Tyson Fury, the lineal boxing heavyweight champion. It will take place on October 28 in Saudi Arabia.
Why did Francis Ngannou have to leave the UFC to make this fight happen?
Francis Ngannou had to leave the UFC to pursue the crossover boxing match with Tyson Fury because it involved stepping into a different combat sport. The UFC is primarily focused on mixed martial arts (MMA), while this bout is under boxing rules.
What are the odds for the fight between Ngannou and Fury?
The odds currently favor Tyson Fury in the boxing match against Francis Ngannou. Oddsmakers have opened Fury as a -1000 betting favorite, indicating that he is seen as the more likely winner in the matchup.
How does Georges St-Pierre feel about Ngannou’s chances in the fight?
Georges St-Pierre is cautiously optimistic for Francis Ngannou. While he acknowledges that the odds are not in Ngannou’s favor due to Fury’s boxing expertise, St-Pierre believes that if Ngannou performs well and showcases his skills, even in a loss, it can still be a positive outcome for him.
Will Ngannou still benefit financially from this fight, even if he doesn’t win?
Yes, Ngannou is set to make a substantial amount of money from this crossover boxing match, potentially more than he ever made as the UFC heavyweight champion. Even if he doesn’t win the fight, a strong performance and exposure in a different combat sport can still be financially beneficial for him.
How does St-Pierre compare Ngannou’s chances in boxing to Fury’s chances in MMA?
St-Pierre believes that if the fight took place in an MMA setting, Francis Ngannou would have a significant advantage over Tyson Fury. He suggests that Ngannou’s skills in MMA would likely result in a quick victory against Fury, whereas Ngannou will face a tougher challenge in the limited and specialized sport of boxing.
More about boxing match
- Georges St-Pierre interview on The MMA Hour
- Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury crossover boxing match announcement
- UFC
- Lineal MMA heavyweight champion
- Lineal boxing heavyweight champion
- Odds for Ngannou vs Fury fight
- Georges St-Pierre’s thoughts on Ngannou’s chances
- Financial benefits for Ngannou in the fight
- Comparison of Ngannou’s boxing chances vs Fury’s MMA chances
5 comments
Fury is a beast in the boxing ring, no doubt. But don’t underestimate Ngannou’s power. One punch can change everything. Let’s go, Francis!
wow, so excited abt the crossovr btween ngannou n fury!! gonna b an epic fight. hope francis can win, bt odds not gud. fingers crossd!
St-Pierre is a legend, man. He knows his stuff. Ngannou’s got heart, but boxing ain’t his game. Still, hope he puts up a gud fight.
This is what makes sports so thrilling, seeing champions from diff sports face off. Ngannou takin a risk, bt can’t wait to c what happens!
Ngannou’s movin outta his comfort zone here, but hey, that’s where greatness is built. Even if he loses, he’s still a champ in my eyes!