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Unified heavyweight world champion, Oleksandr Usyk, is of the view that Tyson Fury’s boxing duel with former UFC champion, Francis Ngannou was not very competitive. / Photo: Instagram @usykaa
OXNARD – IBF/WBA Super/WBO heavyweight boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk believes that the crossover boxing duel between WBC champion, Tyson Fury and former UFC champion, Francis Ngannou will not be too competitive. The match is planned to take place in Saudi Arabia on October 28.
As the WBC version of the world heavyweight boxing champion, Fury’s decision to carry out the fight seemed to bother Usyk. “I think it’s easy money for Tyson Fury . I think it looks a little strange to me, to me, too strange,” the former cruiserweight world champion told BBC Sport, quoted on Wednesday (23/8/2023) .
According to Usyk, the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou fight was really cool for Ngannou, but it was clearly the opposite for Fury. The reason is, Fury is a world champion, who at least fought against the top 10 boxers. As for Ngannou, this fight against Tyson Fury will be his debut in the professional boxing ring.
“Your perception and mine are different. You treat it as a show, I treat it as an athlete. If he chooses this way, okay I respect his choice,” said Usyk, who is a two-division boxing world champion from Ukraine.
Previously, Usyk’s camp and Fury’s side had been involved in negotiations for a unification fight as well as determining the undisputed heavyweight champion. Unfortunately, the talks, which took place in early 2023, reached an impasse. They were unable to reach an agreement on financial terms regarding a rematch.
Failing to reach an agreement, Usyk underwent a title defense duel against mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois from England this weekend at the Wroclaw Stadium, Wroclaw, Poland.
Usyk is already 36 years old, but he is still the favorite in the fight against Dubois, who is still 25 years old. After all, Tyson Fury’s compatriot boxer could make a surprise in the fight later.
(ask)