TYSON FURY has been backed by his former opponent to beat Francis Ngannou – but only after taking a trip to the canvas.
The unbeaten heavyweight world champion faces ex-UFC star Ngannou on October 28 in Saudi Arabia.
Fury, 35, comes into the bout having last stopped Derek Chisora, 39, in December, the third time he beat his British rival.
And Chisora is picking the Gypsy King to beat Ngannou, 37, but warned he could have to get up from the floor first.
He told SecondsOut: “Tyson is going to win it, but I think Tyson is going to get dropped by Ngannou.”
Ngannou is set to make the move from the MMA cage to the boxing ring following his UFC departure.
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And Fury’s dad John expects the former UFC champion to bring every ounce of his rugged martial arts style into the bout.
He told Seconds Out via Freebets.com: “I hold him in the highest esteem and the highest regard.
“He’s world champion at his game, he’s taking on the best in the world, taking it seriously and I do believe he’s going to bring the smoke.
“I’m expecting Tyson to come out with a broken leg or a broken arm.
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“He’s not going to come out unscathed and I’m glad they’re paying him well because if they weren’t paying him well I wouldn’t put him in against Francis Ngannou.
“He’s going to get knocked about, Tyson, and he knows that, exhibition my backside – they’re going to kill each other them pair.”
Ngannou has called on the help of American legend Mike Tyson – who John named his son after – for his boxing debut.
Iron Mike has been helping train the Cameroonian in his Las Vegas camp.
And John said: “Bare in mind he’s got Mike Tyson there and he wants to impress Mike Tyson.
“And then Tyson [Fury] has got an ego as big as Morecambe so the stage is set for a battle royal.
“He couldn’t have a better mentor in his camp than the great Mike Tyson, I’m sure Mike will show him the boxing moves he needs.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk