FRANCIS NGANNOU should forget about fighting Tyson Fury in a boxing ring, says former world champion Tony Bellew.
Ngannou, 36, won the UFC heavyweight championship by defeating Stipe Miocic in March 2021.
Francis Ngannou held the UFC heavyweight title for nearly two yearsGetty
GettyTyson Fury is widely considered to be the best heavyweight in the world[/caption]
Ever since, he has been heavily linked with a crossover bout against boxing’s heavyweight king – WBC champion Fury, 34.
Now the prospect of a clash with The Gypsy King has gained even more traction following confirmation of Ngannou’s departure from the UFC last week.
It comes after Ngannou sat ringside for Fury’s win over Derek Chisora last month.
He then called for a bout with Fury, saying: “I don’t really care about what [it] would be. I just think it’ll be a fight against Tyson Fury.
“It can be in a phone booth or wherever [but] that fight will happen, or (even) in the rooftop – that fight will happen.
“Obviously, he will not compete in MMA. That’s not something that could happen. He would get killed.”
Crossover bouts have taken place in the past – most notably when Conor McGregor fought Floyd Mayweather and lost by 10th round stoppage.
But former boxing world champion Bellew, 40, believes stepping into the ring with Fury would be bad news for Ngannou.
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Combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani tweeted a poll asking fans whether they would like to see Fury vs Ngannou in Bellator, PFL, boxing or BKFC.
When boxing claimed the most votes, Bellew then replied: “Terrible shame! He will not survive in a boxing ring against anyone of any note.
“He’s the best MMA heavyweight in the world right now and he needs to stay within his discipline…”
Fury has not lost in 34 professional contests, a run which stretches back to his debut in 2008.
The only blemish on the Brit’s record came in a controversial draw with Deontay Wilder in 2018 – with Fury subsequently going on to stop the American in their following two fights.
Ngannou has a professional MMA record of 17 wins and three defeats but has not lost since 2018.
He has never had a pro boxing bout.
When asked in April 2022 about a possible clash with Ngannou, Fury told BT Sport: “Definitely sometime next year. 2023. That fight will happen!
“Because by the end of the year, to know exactly [where I stand], we’re going to sort it and get settled and ready to go.”
He then added: “Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou in Africa, that would be the best one. The Rumble in the Jungle 2!”
GettyTony Bellew won the WBC cruiserweight title in 2016[/caption] Read More