[ad_1]
Over the previous few months, there have been rumblings of a clash between UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. All of this speak has bubbled up whereas Ngannou is able to defend his title towards Ciryl Gane on Jan. 22 at UFC 270.
So how would Ngannou, an influence puncher, fare within the boxing world?
Former coach Fernand Lopez, who’s engaged in a bitter rivalry with Ngannou because the latter left MMA Manufacturing facility, gave his ideas on Ngannou’s curiosity in being a two-way fight sports activities star.
Whereas Ngannou confirmed an curiosity in boxing when he was youthful, he has not stepped inside a hoop. The transfer might make sense to a level, however Lopez believes Ngannou’s inexperience would value him.
“I feel the battle is smart for Francis as a result of he thinks he can money out,” Lopez stated. “It might take no less than three years for Francis Ngannou to be aggressive from a boxing standpoint with Tyson Fury, and I imply three years solely devoted to boxing. I’m unsure Francis can ever problem the stamina or endurance of Tyson Fury. All he can do is have a excessive protection; be elusive, shut footwork, change path.”
“Realistically he must cease every little thing else and possibly do nothing else for 3 years, solely boxing. No grappling, nothing else. The best way that his physique and muscle tissue are constructed, it won’t permit him to maintain throwing punches after the third spherical. … I don’t see how he can win the match, this is a chance for him to money out.”
MORE: UFC 270: What did Ciryl Gane think of Francis Ngannou’s snub at UFC 268?
Ngannou began boxing at 22 and at 26, needed to pursue a profession in it. Whereas in Paris, he met Lopez, who swayed him into becoming a member of the world of MMA. From 2013-18, Ngannou was a member of MMA Manufacturing facility, knocking opponents out with ease. He joined the UFC in 2015 and gained six in a row, however misplaced to Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title in January 2018. He left MMA Manufacturing facility for Xtreme Couture and since November 2018, has gained 5 in a row, together with the UFC heavyweight title again in March.
Fury (31-0-1) has been boxing professionally since 2008 and has been competing since round 2006. The lineal champion gained the gold medal within the 2008 English Nationwide Championships. The “Gypsy King” beat Deontay Wilder in 2020 to win the WBC heavyweight title and made about $54 million in 2021. Exterior of Lopez, Ngannou has had a stand-off with the UFC concerning his contract. A possible battle with Jon Jones was scrapped based mostly on cash, and Ngannou, 35, is trying to discover the most effective deal for him, particularly as a champion. Lopez believes the amount of cash he could make could be depleted with a transfer to boxing, together with the years of abilities he would want to be taught to step inside a hoop.
“I’m unsure for those who’re a UFC fighter it’s price letting all of it go and have three years of regular boxing coaching – how would you reside your life, what could be your earnings? And after three years you could be aggressive sufficient to face there and hold throwing punches,” Lopez stated.
“We’re not anticipating something sensible, Francis just isn’t a boxer. You prepare lots to be a boxer. Boxing wants dedication, boxing wants sacrifice, you want years and years to coach. So we all know the result of that battle. The query is how a lot Francis Ngannou could make some huge cash, as a result of he solely has one shot. Objectively talking, he can not take into consideration having a boxing profession as a result of his boxing ability won’t be sufficient for him to turn into a boxer.”
MORE: How much did Tyson Fury reportedly pay himself in 2021?
Ngannou and Lopez have been feuding because the figher left MMA Manufacturing facility. A part of the reason being that Ngannou believes Lopez needed the highlight over him, which has resulted in Lopez questioning his potential. One other issue is sparring footage of Ngannou and Gane that the previous believes was shared to make him look dangerous.
Ngannou will face a former teammate in Gane contained in the Honda Middle in Anaheim, California. That’s the final battle on his present cope with the UFC. Might talks a couple of Fury battle together with contract disputes be a distraction main as much as the title battle? In keeping with Lopez, lots is on the road for Ngannou heading into the bout.
“Francis Ngannou needs to maneuver over to boxing however that may solely occur if he’s the champ,” stated Lopez. “If he leaves the UFC and he’s not the champion, regardless of which firm he needs to go to, it gained’t look good. We now have to maintain that in thoughts.”
The quotes on this article first appeared on the Betway US blog
[ad_2]
Source link