31 January 2023 , 12:13
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Tyson Fury has stated he will pursue a fight with Francis Ngannou if he cannot agree a deal to face Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury has been embroiled in lengthy talks with heavyweight rival Usyk over a historic undisputed title fight that was touted to take place this spring. However, it has so far yet to materialise, with both fighters left trading verbal barbs on social media as fans await positive news over a huge match-up.
It is believed that talks over the venue and date are holding up the announcement, with both fighters having already agreed in principal to stage the showdown. A timeframe has not yet been provided as to when a deal may be concluded, but this could see Fury walk away if he becomes impatient with the wait.
And the Brit has reiterated his offer to make the clash with 4oz gloves, which has come after Ngannou's recent departure from the UFC to become a free agent. "I’m hoping so [a fight with Francis Ngannou materialises]," Fury told GiveMeSport when discussing his options if a clash with Usyk collapses. "I’m very much hoping so.
"Because if Usyk doesn’t happen like this month coming, then I’m going to say, 'right then, let’s move on and do Francis Ngannou'. And I’m looking to get big Francis in a cage with 4oz gloves on and throw down with him swinging some big bombs. It’s risky because Francis at one point was considered the biggest puncher in combat sports. So, with 4oz gloves on, all it takes is one punch and it’s all over."
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Fury suggested last year that he would be open to a mixed-rules bout with Ngannou, which saw the pair come face to face after his win over Dillian Whyte last April. 'The Predator' reigned as UFC champion at the time and was tied down a deal, but is now a free agent after electing to part ways with the promotion.
Tyson Fury wants to fight Francis Ngannou if he cannot meet Oleksandr Usyk (BT Sport)Who would you like to see Tyson Fury fight if talks with Oleksandr Usyk collapse? Let us know in the comments section below
Ngannou has revealed that he is looking into the potential fight with Fury and is intending to make official contact via the WBC champion's advisors in the coming days. "I’ve talked to somebody, some of [Fury's] advisors, but they’re working on a fight with Usyk in April," Ngannou told TMZ Sports. "So, until then, he will not be free.
"But I’m trying to see if we can have an agreement before that fight. That will also give me some time to get prepared for a boxing fight. So, I have no problem with the timeline that I’m expecting, that I hope will be sometime in June, July, which is doable. So, let’s see. I think it’s too early to make a conclusion.
"It’s too early to say anything about it, but it’s definitely something that we’re looking into. We’ve been talking about this fight [for] the past two years. I think, at this point, the people are waiting for this fight and talking about this fight more than the [Anthony] Joshua fight."