Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has set his sights on winning the biggest prize in heavyweight boxing. With an impressive record of 12 knockouts and four submissions in his 20 pro MMA matches, the 37-year-old left the UFC in 2023 and quickly became a highly sought-after free agent in combat sports.
In October of that year, Ngannou faced off against Tyson Fury in a boxing match held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although he ultimately lost the fight by split decision, Ngannou left a lasting impression when he knocked down Fury in a shocking moment of the match.
Capitalizing on his newfound fame, Ngannou has secured another major boxing match. On March 8, he will go head-to-head with Anthony Joshua in a 10-round bout at the same venue. This highly anticipated event is sure to draw attention from fans around the world.
Meanwhile, Fury had his own boxing match scheduled against Oleksandr Usyk on February 17. However, he was forced to withdraw from the event due to a cut he sustained during a sparring session in Riyadh. The cut required immediate medical attention and extensive stitching, leaving Fury devastated and unable to compete.
Fury’s representatives in the UK, Queensberry Promotions, released a statement addressing the situation. They described the cut as a “freak” accident and expressed Fury’s disappointment in not being able to participate in the fight. He apologized to Team Usyk, the fans, and his event partners in Saudi Arabia, promising to work towards a rescheduled date once his eye has fully healed.
With Fury’s withdrawal, Usyk and his team are left uncertain about when the fight will take place. It could be several months before Fury is ready to step back into the ring, leaving Usyk in limbo. The boxing world eagerly awaits updates on the rescheduling of this highly anticipated match.
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Fury-Usyk Fight: Who Will Replace Fury?
In a shocking turn of events, the highly anticipated Fury-Usyk fight, which could have crowned an undisputed champion in the heavyweight division, is now in jeopardy. The boxing landscape, already fragmented with four major championships, was hoping for a unification bout that would leave only one champion standing. However, with Fury’s recent injury, a replacement opponent needs to be found for Usyk.
The Fury-Usyk fight was set to make history, as the winner would have become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion since 1999. Lennox Lewis was the last fighter to achieve this feat when he defeated Evander Holyfield. Fans were eagerly awaiting this clash of titans, but now they are left wondering who will step up to the challenge.
One name that immediately comes to mind is Francis Ngannou, a former MMA champion in UFC. Ngannou wasted no time in expressing his interest in vying for the division’s highest honor. In a tweet, he called out Joshua, suggesting a match for the undisputed title on March 8. Will this dream matchup become a reality?
As Fury’s injury news spread, another contender emerged. Hrgovic, eager to prove himself, saw this as an opportunity to step in and face Usyk. He boldly claimed that Usyk owes him his mandatory shot and challenged him to finally face him in the ring. Could Hrgovic be the replacement opponent that fight fans have been waiting for?
With Fury out of the picture, the boxing world is left in suspense. Who will be chosen to replace him and take on Usyk? Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on this unexpected twist in the heavyweight division.
By Alan Dawson, Combat Sports and UFC Correspondent.
