Boxing fans have dismissed Francis Ngannou since the announcement of his fight with Tyson Fury, but Ngannou doesn’t care about the critics and is focused on his opportunity to prove himself on the big stage.
Francis Ngannou’s upcoming boxing match with Tyson Fury has been met with skepticism and criticism from boxing fans. However, Ngannou appears unfazed by the doubts, leading many to wonder if he is simply trolling and planning to deliver a major surprise by challenging the heavyweight boxing champion seriously. Ngannou himself seems confident in his abilities, stating, “Saturday, they will find out.”
This bout marks Ngannou’s professional boxing debut after an illustrious career in mixed martial arts. He expects to make his PFL debut on pay-per-view in the first quarter of 2024. The announcement of the Ngannou vs. Fury fight came as a shock, with minimal apparent negotiations between the two champions. Despite the backlash, Ngannou remains uninterested in the opinions of critics, stating, “It’s my show, man. I managed to get here, and whether you like it or not, it is what it is. You just have to take it.”
The upcoming fight will reportedly not be for Fury’s heavyweight titles but instead for the WBC Riyadh championship, a nod to the fight’s financial backers in Saudi Arabia. Despite being considered a significant underdog, Ngannou is not bothered by fans and oddsmakers doubting his chances of victory. He has encountered skepticism throughout his life and career, but he has always managed to prove his critics wrong.
Fury and his team have focused their attention on a title unifier with Oleksandr Usyk, seemingly dismissing Ngannou as a threat. However, Ngannou sees this as an opportunity, stating, “I took the same, and I got the fight. So he’s fighting me first.” Ngannou is relishing the spotlight and believes his bout with Fury will be bigger than any future matches the heavyweight champion may have lined up.
If Ngannou does manage to shock the world and defeat Fury, potentially delaying the unification of the belts, he remains unconcerned. Ngannou is focused on his own future and what comes next for him. He confidently states, “That’s their problem… I think about what’s next for me. I’m also going to fight somewhere in the future, too.”