TYSON FURY has been named as a pundit for Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight clash with Francis Ngannou this evening.
The Gypsy King will feature on DAZN alongside David Haye and Conor Benn with Kate Abdo, Ade Oladipo and Ariel Helwani hosting.
Fury is the only professional boxer to have faced ex-MMA star Ngannou in the ring so far.
The WBC heavyweight champion clinched a controversial points win over Ngannou in October – despite being knocked down in the third round.
He was quick to praise the Predator after the bout in Saudi Arabia, admitting: “That definitely wasn’t in the script. Francis is a hell of a fighter.
“He’s strong, he’s a big puncher and a lot better boxer than we thought he’d ever be.
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“He’s a very awkward man and he’s a very good puncher.
“And I respect him a lot, before the fight and after the fight.”
Ngannou appeared to get the better of Fury during a pre-fight press conference on Thursday.
The Gypsy King gatecrashed the conference by sitting in the front row and heckling his former rival.
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Fury claimed that he would beat the ex-UFC champion in the ring or octagon.
However, Ngannou responded: “I’m going to wipe the ring with your a*** again – there was blood in the ring!
“Your only chance is in the boxing ring with boxing rules, when you step out the ring you better stay five metres away because if I lose it, you’ll have a really bad time my friend.
“Respect the fact boxing rules are protecting you, because you are nothing in front of me. I’ll beat you every day, twice on Sunday!”
Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn has admitted that he is “nervous” for the bout.
Hearn, who has promoted Joshua for several years, told SunSport: “There is very little reward for the fight.
“The main reason we’re taking the fight is because of the credibility because of his performance against Fury. Obviously the money as well.
“But also His Excellency saying the winner of that fight should move forward and fight the winner of Fury vs Usyk. And that’s what we want.
“In one fight, AJ could become undisputed after we chased it for three or four years.
“He could beat Ngannou, fight for the undisputed and win. The path is clear in Saudi Arabia for us to do that.
“But still, the fact remains we’ve got to get through Francis Ngannou.”
He continued: “I’m excited [for the fight] and nervous as well. Ngannou is still a little bit of an unknown quantity if you like.
“I mean he’s a big, strong beast of a man. But I still feel that, on paper, our boxing guys should be beating the likes of Ngannou.
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“But in the heavyweight division, as you saw against Tyson Fury, if you’re strong and you’re technically sound and you’re tough enough and you can whack, then you’ve got a chance.
“And he was unlucky not to get the win against Tyson Fury. So it gives AJ the credibility to go and fight him.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
