Tyson Fury invites criticism if he loses to UFC star Francis Ngannou

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 08 September 2023

Fury invites criticism if he loses to Ngannou

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury says that he will deserve any criticism that comes his way if he loses to UFC legend Francis Ngannou in a boxing ring.

Tyson Fury has acknowledged that he would be 'ridiculed' if he lost to UFC legend Francis Ngannou when they meet in a boxing ring.

Earlier this year, there had been hope and expectation that an undisputed clash between WBC heavyweight champion Fury and IBF, WBA and WBO title-holder Oleksandr Usyk would take place in the Middle East.

Instead, a showdown between Fury - who will not be defending his belt - and Ngannou - who does not hold a professional boxing record - is due to be held in Saudi Arabia on October 28.

Despite the attention and money that the fight will attract, the event has received widespread criticism with the perception being that Fury has little chance of losing his unbeaten record despite Ngannou's reputation as a knockout artist in MMA.

That view has often been countered by Queensberry - Fury's promoters - yet the 35-year-old has insisted that he would "deserve" to be laughed at if he lost to Ngannou next month.

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Speaking to reporters at a press conference, as quoted by BBC Sport, Fury said: "If I lose to an MMA guy I'll never be able to show my face in public again. It's going to ridicule me - people will chuck it at me forever.

"There's more riding on this than ever before. Whether the media want to take it as a joke, make no mistake Tyson Fury will leave zero stones unturned and I will come in as my fittest and strongest I've ever been to defeat this man.

"If I'm not and I get knocked out, then I want you all to laugh at me. That's what I want, because I deserve it."

A clash for the British heavyweight title, pending official permission from the BBCofC, between Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye is scheduled for the undercard.

However, a brawl between their respective teams at the press conference led to champion Wardley receiving what appeared to be a minor cut to the left side of his eye.