Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou's upcoming crossover super-fight has been branded the "biggest joke in boxing" by fellow heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk's manager.
The top heavyweights from boxing and MMA will meet for the first time on October 28 in Saudi Arabia, with both men pocketing massive purses for the event as part of Riyadh Season. But they have come in for criticism from purists who feel that as champion, Fury should be pushing for undisputed fights or defences against legitimate contenders.
It doesn't help Fury's case that his last voluntary defence was a farcical trilogy with Derek Chisora, whom he had already stopped and beaten by a lopsided decision while both men were closer to their primes. However, MMA fans have shared their delight for Ngannou, whose payout will go up drastically from the just $600,000 he earned for his last UFC title defence.
"The biggest joke ever in boxing!!!" Egis Klimas wrote in an angry tweet that echoed the sentiments of many in the boxing industry over the fight. "I am sorry it’s not boxing it’s circus. Tyson Fury becoming from positive person in boxing to negative joker in circus."
Fury and Usyk were locked in talks earlier this year for an undisputed bout, which would have been the first in the four-belt era at heavyweight. However, the money couldn't be made right after a series of outrageous demands from the Brit, and the fight fell by the wayside.
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Instead, Usyk will face Daniel Dubois, while top contender Anthony Joshua will fight Dillian Whyte and Deontay Wilder before there will be talks again of an undisputed bout. Fury and Ngannou's fight will be a real boxing contest that may end up on their professional records, but the WBC belt won't be on the line due to the MMA star being an unranked non-bout boxer.
Talks between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fell through earlier this year (Top Rank via Getty Images)Do you agree with Egis Klimas? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
“As soon as that bell goes, it’ll be bombs away!" Fury said in a statement about the fight earlier this week. "This guy is supposed to be the hardest puncher in the world, but let’s see how he reacts when he gets hit by the Big GK [Gypsy King]. I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights.
"I’m looking forward to showing the world that The Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation in an epic battle with another master of his craft. Francis looked tough when he jumped in the ring after the Whyte fight, but there is no one tougher than me, and you’ll all see that in devastating fashion on October 28.
"I’d like to thank my promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, my manager Spencer Brown and the guys at Riyadh Season for making this incredible event possible. It’s going to be a fight for the ages. Get up!”
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