Frank Warren, promoter for WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, does not believe Francis Ngannou will enter the ring to simply collect a paycheck.
Ngannou, a former UFC champion, will make his professional boxing debut against Fury on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. The WBC title will not be at stake.
Warren only gives Ngannou a puncher’s chance to come away with the win, but very few observers believe the big banger is capable of pulling it off.
“Ngannou is a professional, he doesn’t sit behind a keyboard for a living, he’s not a prankster,” Warren said to The Daily Mail. “Look at the journey he’s had. Everything has been through. He’s a real tough guy who’s the best in his discipline.
“He’s not a trained boxer and I think what can he do to beat Tyson Fury? He can’t outbox him. He beats him by knocking him out. He’s got to take him out and put him out of his stride. He’s got to rough him up like they do in UFC. He will have to be physical and land his bombs. That’s the only way he beats him.”
Despite Ngannou having a far-reaching puncher’s chance in the contest, Warren expects Fury to come forward and exchange punches with the MMA veteran. The Hall of Fame promoter is not anticipating a long fight.
“People think Tyson will move around and jab. I don’t think he’ll do that. He stood toe-to-toe with Deontay Wilder and I think that’s what will happen. It will be exciting and very, very short and I think Tyson will come through it,” Warren said.
“Tyson is the guy who has everything to lose. Ngannou has not a thing to lose. Tyson is putting everything on the line here.”
There is already a deal in place for Fury to collide with WBO, IBO, WBA, IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk on December 23, also in Saudi Arabia.