Francis Ngannou will be working with Mike Tyson ahead of his boxing debut against Tyson Fury. The former UFC heavyweight champion is set to meet Fury in October from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Francis Ngannou To Train With Mike Tyson
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will work with none other than boxing icon and former champion Mike Tyson ahead of his bout with Tyson Fury.
Ngannou, who signed a deal with the PFL earlier this year, will go one-on-one with Fury on October 28 from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“It is no secret I back Ngannou 100 percent in this faceoff of champions,” Tyson said in a release from Riyadh Season PR. “He has one hard punch, and when it lands, it’s game over. I am looking forward to working with Ngannou and supporting his transition from the octagon to the boxing ring.”
Ngannou claimed 10 knockout victories during his career in the UFC, which included a run as heavyweight champion. He left the promotion for the PFL without ever losing the title.
“Bringing Mike Tyson into my training camp is one of the best decisions I can make to prepare for Tyson Fury in the ring at this year’s Riyadh Season,” Ngannou said. “Mike Tyson is an idol of mine in the sport. His experience and boxing IQ will be important to honing my technique under his guidance to win this super-fight.
“I’ve been wanting this fight for years and now that it’s here, I’m focused on fighting the greatest fight of my career and shocking the world on the most epic stage for the fans in Riyadh.”
Tyson, of course, was one of the more feared punchers boxing had to offer in the late 1980s. Of his 50 career wins, 44 came by way of knockout for the legend.
“He isn’t a combat novice; he is a world champion,” Tyson said. “He knows how to compete when the bell rings, but the key will be combining his energy and combat skills into his punches and using his agility to move swiftly around the ring then delivering the knockout blow. We’re here to win.”
Fury enters as the reigning WBC champion with an unbeaten record over 34 pro boxing matches. He is also a former undisputed heavyweight titleholder.
