Tyson Fury has warned Francis Ngannou not to “do anything stupid” during their crossover boxing match in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, or risk being disqualified. Ngannou, a former two-time UFC world champion, will make his professional boxing debut against WBC heavyweight champion Fury this weekend with the odds of a victory heavily stacked against him.
With the Cameroon national having no boxing pedigree to fall back on, the Gypsy King is the overwhelming favourite. Fury has even suggested that he would beat Ngannou in an MMA fight but has flip-flopped over whether he will actually face the 37-year-old in a cage match.
That is of little concern to either fighter this weekend, however, with their high-profile pay-per-view event being contested under traditional rules and classified as an official boxing contest.
But Fury has warned his opponent that any attempt to try some of his specialist MMA skills in Riyadh will result in a default win for the British fighter.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Fury said: “This is a boxing fight and it’s actually a proper boxing, sanctioned fight. If he starts doing anything stupid, he’ll get chucked out and disqualified. Game over. This is not a wrestling match, an MMA fight or a street fight. This is Queensbury rules. The greatest sport in history.
“This is big time boxing, so welcome to big time boxing. Am I a heavy favourite? Two giant men swinging at each other and whoever lands first will go down? It’s very difficult to hit me even if you’ve got a handful of rice. He’s either gonna sink or swim and either way, I’m knocking him out.”
With a record that reads 33 wins, one draw and no losses it is difficult to imagine that Fury could be beaten at his own game in Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening, but Ngannou is said to possess the hardest punch in the world and one direct hit could potentially turn the whole contest on its head.
The African star, who escaped a life of poverty to pursue his fighting dream in Paris before moving to the USA, believes that he is already a winner no matter what the outcome is.
Ngannou said: “There is definitely a good respect otherwise he wouldn’t have taken the fight.
“In order for him to take a fight against somebody who is fighting for the first time, he respects them as an opponent and knows they are legit. This is already a success and a win, I’ve won already and on Saturday night I’m going out there to get a second win.”