28 October 2023 , 08:30
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Francis Ngannou admits he is baffled that man of Tyson Fury's shape and size can move as gracefully as he does.
Fury has defied his genetics as a 6'9", 270lb giant to become one of the most gifted technicians in boxing. His movement has bamboozled the best the division has to offer as Fury became the best heavyweight of his generation by beating Deontay Wilder in two of their three fights.
He will take on Ngannou tonight in a fight he is expected to win comfortably - and the difference in skill level should be as evident as the difference in the respective physiques. The rivals have joked all week about their bodies, with Fury encouraging Ngannou to take his top off for their first face-off on Thursday.
On Friday, it was Ngannou's turn to convince Fury as he went topless for their final face-to-face. The Cameroonian couldn't resist copping a feel of Fury's 'love handles' and said: "I think it [how Fury moves] surprises everybody. When he starts to move it's kind of mindblowing and confusing, You look at the guy and how he moves and you think something is wrong."
Ngannou is likely to struggle with Fury's movement tonight as he attempts to pull off a seismic shock in the desert. The 37-year-old has ever boxed professionally and is set for a rude awakening after moving over from MMA where he was crowned UFC champion. But Ngannou is confident he can upset the odds.
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"I have climbed a lot of mountains in my life," he added. "Those people who I fought in MMA to become champion have been doing combat sports since they were kids so I'm not afraid of mountains. there is not a way to know if I can climb or not unless I try. I won't stay back and decide I can't climb, I will go to the mountain and find out I can't climb.
"Fury has proved he is tough and that's one of his qualities. We were talking about mountains, he is a mountain but every mountain can be climbed."