Francis Ngannou has already made a significant achievement by securing a lucrative deal for his boxing match against Tyson Fury in October. However, can the former UFC heavyweight champion realistically come out victorious in this new ring?
UFC welterweight, Matt Brown, isn’t particularly optimistic about Ngannou’s chances. Although he acknowledges the intrigue surrounding Ngannou’s transition into boxing, he notes that Ngannou is entering largely uncharted territory. Ngannou, known as one of the hardest hitters in heavyweight MMA history, has never engaged in a formal boxing match. He’s now set to face Fury, a widely respected figure in boxing, despite his lack of experience.
Brown noted on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast that “while there is a general belief that MMA fighters can hold their own in the ring, it’s not as if Ngannou is devoid of chances. We know he packs a punch. Fury has been floored by Deontay Wilder before, so Ngannou isn’t entirely without hope. However, we’re talking about a different sport entirely.”
He continued, “What people need to understand is that it’s not just fighting. It’s boxing. In boxing, all of your tools are stripped away, save for two that a boxer like Fury has honed over his lifetime. You’ve trained using a multitude of techniques, but he’s spent that time perfecting just two. And we’re talking about Tyson Fury, one of the greats.”
Brown suggests that the interest surrounding Ngannou vs. Fury is akin to the buzz created by a hypothetical cage fight between billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. It’s more about the spectacle than the skills that will be on display.
Brown elaborated, “When we discuss Ngannou’s odds, it could be 50 percent, it could be zero percent. We simply don’t know as we’ve never seen him box. That’s what makes it exciting to watch.”
“However, I suspect it will be like McGregor vs. Mayweather or Musk vs. Zuckerberg. Exciting in theory, great promotional material, massive hype. Everyone will throw parties, fill up bars, and purchase the pay-per-view. But come round six or seven, around 12:30 at night, people will be more invested in their drinks and friends than the fight. What exactly are we doing here?”
When it comes to Ngannou actually pulling off what might be the biggest upset in boxing history, Brown believes it boils down to the puncher’s luck. Ngannou’s heavyweight power gives him the chance to surprise Fury and potentially land a stunning knockout. However, Brown thinks the odds of this happening are incredibly slim compared to the likelihood of Fury outmaneuvering the Cameroonian fighter.
He admits, “He’s got a chance, Ngannou. He’s a formidable athlete, physically imposing, and not just a strong hitter, but 12 rounds is a long game. It’s the reason boxers engage in amateur bouts and low-level professional fights. They’re learning about themselves, how to strategize in a boxing match, how to set up for later rounds or better body work.”
“We’re giving him one chance, which is to land that big punch. But to defeat Tyson Fury with that one punch, he’d need to possess nearly superhuman power. Deontay Wilder couldn’t do it. First, Ngannou must find a way to land the punch, and then actually land it. It’s an overwhelming task.”
Brown ultimately can’t say for certain that Ngannou will lose. Unpredictability is inherent in combat sports. Still, he believes it’s unreasonable to think Ngannou has anything more than a slim chance of defeating Fury.
“Perhaps he’ll shock us all,” Brown conceded, “but the odds of that happening are quite low.”
“If the main attraction is whether this guy can land one big punch on one of the greatest heavyweights ever or get crushed, it’s not appealing to me. There are plenty of fighters who can do that.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury
Q: Does Francis Ngannou have a realistic chance of winning against Tyson Fury in their boxing match?
A: According to UFC welterweight Matt Brown, Ngannou’s chances are slim. While Ngannou is known for his power in MMA, he lacks experience in boxing. Fury, on the other hand, is regarded as one of the top fighters of his generation, making it a tough challenge for Ngannou.
Q: Why does Matt Brown believe the interest in fights like Ngannou vs. Fury is more about spectacle than skills?
A: Brown compares the attraction to hypothetical fights between billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. He believes the excitement lies in the spectacle and promotion rather than the actual skills displayed in the fight.
Q: What are the chances of Ngannou pulling off an upset against Fury?
A: Brown mentions that it comes down to a puncher’s chance for Ngannou. His immense power as a heavyweight gives him the potential to catch Fury off guard and score a stunning knockout. However, the chances of this happening are still minuscule compared to Fury’s overall skill and strategy in the ring.
Q: Can Ngannou’s MMA background give him an advantage in the boxing match?
A: Brown highlights the difference between MMA and boxing. While Ngannou has excelled as an MMA fighter, boxing requires specialized skills and technique. The limitations imposed by boxing rules, where only two weapons are allowed, make it a challenging transition for Ngannou.
Q: Is there a chance that Ngannou could win the fight?
A: While there is always some level of unpredictability in combat sports, Brown believes that Ngannou has little more than a hope and a prayer of defeating Fury. The odds are heavily stacked against him, given Fury’s experience and reputation as one of the greatest heavyweights.
Q: What is the importance of learning through amateur fights and low-level pro fights in boxing?
A: Brown explains that boxers engage in such fights to learn about themselves and develop their skills. They gain experience in setting up strategies for later rounds, improving body work, and overall understanding the nuances of competing in a boxing match.
More about Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury
- Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury: UFC star to fight boxing champion – BBC Sport article on the upcoming boxing match between Ngannou and Fury.
- Matt Brown discusses Ngannou’s chances against Fury – MMA Fighting article featuring Matt Brown’s insights on Ngannou’s chances in the fight.
- Tyson Fury’s boxing career and achievements – Britannica provides an overview of Tyson Fury’s boxing career and notable accomplishments.
- Francis Ngannou’s MMA career and accomplishments – The official UFC website offers information on Francis Ngannou’s MMA journey and achievements.
- Difference between MMA and boxing – A blog post explaining the differences in rules and techniques between MMA and boxing.
5 comments
matt brown makes a good point here i mean ngannou is a beast in mma but this is boxing and fury is a boxing legend so i dont see ngannou having much of a chance in this fight.
im definitely tuning in for this fight! the buzz around it is crazy and you never know what can happen in combat sports. even if ngannou’s chances are slim, the excitement and unpredictability make it worth watching. gonna be a great night of boxing!
i gotta admit im curious to see if ngannou can land that one big punch on fury but realistically the odds are stacked against him. fury is a master tactician and ngannou has to rely on pure power. itll be interesting to see how it plays out!
i agree with matt brown its gonna be more about the hype and the show than the actual skills in the ring. weve seen these crossover fights before and theyre usually more for entertainment value than competitive matchups.
ngannou stepping into the boxing ring without any previous boxing matches is a huge challenge. its a completely different sport with different rules and techniques. i respect his courage but itll take something extraordinary for him to come out on top against fury.