With just weeks to go until the highly anticipated crossover bout between Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury, fans are already expressing their doubts about Ngannou's boxing skills. A video has emerged showing the MMA star's slow and laboured pad work during training, leading many to fear that he will be no match for Fury in the ring.
Is Ngannou's Lackluster Performance a Sign of What's to Come?
The upcoming fight, scheduled for October 28 in Saudi Arabia, will see heavyweight champion Fury take on Ngannou under Queensberry rules over ten rounds. However, supporters are concerned that the match will be a complete mismatch, given Ngannou's underwhelming display in training.
As fans watched the video, some couldn't help but question Ngannou's ability to transition from MMA to boxing. One Twitter user remarked, "Is this in slow motion?" while another expressed their skepticism, stating, "Man, this ain't gonna be funny, it's gonna be a mismatch." A third fan even suggested that Ngannou might be deliberately engaging in "bad pad work" to throw off his opponents.
Fury Remains Confident, But Is He Underestimating Ngannou?
Despite the backlash from fans, Fury remains unfazed and believes that Ngannou will pose a tougher challenge than some other established heavyweight boxers. "These other guys are just boxers, this guy’s more than that," he said.
However, Fury also acknowledges that he is the heavy favorite in this bout. The Gyspy King knows that losing to an MMA fighter would be a blow to his reputation, stating, "If I lose to an MMA guy, I'll never be able to show my face in public again. It's going to ridicule me – people will chuck it at me forever."
With the fight fast approaching, both Ngannou and Fury have a lot to prove in the ring. While fans may be skeptical of Ngannou's abilities, only time will tell if he can rise to the occasion and give Fury a run for his money.
