Francis Ngannou has aspirations for a 2024 rematch against Tyson Fury seem to be gaining traction.
It’s no secret that Ngannou has his sights set on a second bout with Fury. The former UFC heavyweight champion showcased his boxing prowess in a compelling split decision loss to the WBC heavyweight champion at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia last October.
Ngannou’s impressive performance earned him a spot in the top ten of the WBC rankings, signaling success that would typically open doors to various opportunities. However, the rematch with Fury remains his primary focus.
Francis Ngannou Wants Tyson Fury Boxing Rematch
In a recent interview, Ngannou expressed, “The rematch is what I want next the most. As for right now, I feel like there are a lot of options for me, but I want to choose wisely—and I would go for the rematch first.”
Fortunately for Ngannou, a rematch might not be too far off the horizon. Although Tyson Fury has a scheduled bout against Oleksandr Usyk on February 17th, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, hinted at the likelihood of a rematch. Warren emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming fight with Usyk before jumping ahead but acknowledged both fighters’ interest in a rematch.
Warren stated in a recent interview, “I don’t know [if it’ll be next for Fury]…Let’s get the big one [with Oleksandr Usyk on Feb. 17] out of the way first, and then we’ll see where we go. But I do think [it’ll happen]. Tyson told me that he wants the rematch, and I know Ngannou wants it.”
Respect Earned for Ngannou
Despite Ngannou’s loss on the scorecards against Fury, his performance earned him praise from the boxing community. Warren highlighted Ngannou’s unexpected boxing stance and skills, asserting that he poses a challenge to the top 10 contenders.
The prospect of a rematch between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou is noteworthy, given initial skepticism surrounding Ngannou’s transition from MMA to boxing. Many doubted that Ngannou, known for his power in MMA, could compete at a high level in boxing, especially against a world champion.
Even former undefeated multi-division champion Andre Ward, who initially didn’t watch the fight live, commended Ngannou’s performance against Fury. Despite his praise, Ward expressed concern over the WBC ranking Ngannou after just one outstanding performance, emphasizing the need for boxers to establish themselves over time.
In conclusion, the potential rematch between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou adds an exciting chapter to the combat sports narrative, showcasing Ngannou’s unexpected success in the boxing realm. The boxing community remains intrigued by Ngannou’s journey and eagerly awaits developments in this evolving storyline.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
