Boxing legend Mike Tyson helped train Francis Ngannou for his professional boxing debut against WBC and linear heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on Oct. 28 in Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight titleholder, lost to Fury by split decision, but many people believe that he should have had his hand raised. Two of the judges’ scorecards had the fight razor-close while one had it a clear victory for Fury, scoring the fight 96-93. Ngannou dropped Fury in the third round and had him hurt in the eight.
“I’m proud of Francis Ngannou because he listened to everything I said, and I was telling everybody about the great left hook that he landed on his sparring partner and actually broke his leg and I knew if he landed that left hook on anybody they were gone and I was right. The champ went down,” said Tyson on “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson.”
“I’m happy. I’m very grateful to be involved with his glory, his victory. I’m sure we’ll see a lot more of Mr. Francis,” Tyson continued.
We could see Ngannou as soon as Dec. 23. Former middleweight champion Michael Bisping reported on his YouTube channel that Ngannou is rumored to be boxing again on Dec. 23 in Saudi Arabia.
“December 23, back in Riyadh, the middle of Riyadh season, and back in Saudi Arabia, looks like “The Predator” Francis Ngannou, 1-0 in boxing, will be coming back,” said Bisping on Thursday.
Ngannou is signed with the PFL for his mixed martial arts fights, but it’s unclear when, or if he’ll fight again in MMA. Ngannou left the UFC in early 2022 after failed to come to terms with the fight promotion during contract negotiations. One of the sticking points was that Ngannou wanted a clause that allowed him to box. The PFL signed the free agent in May and agreed to allow him the freedom to box while under contract with the MMA promotion.
https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/mike-tyson-i-was-really-proud-of-francis-ngannou
