Bellew Slams Fury Vs. Ngannou, Cormier And Khabib React

Tony Bellew has blasted Tyson Fury’s decision to fight Francis Ngannou on October 28th, 2023. 

The ‘Gypsy King’ will face the Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a non-exhibition fight that will last ten rounds.

However, in the process of doing so, an undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk has been removed off the table for now.

🥊 Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou
🏆 12-Round Heavyweight Bout
📅 Saturday, October 28th
🏟️ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
📢 Top Rank, Queensberry Promotions, GIMIK Fight Promotions, Riyadh Season
📺 BT Sport Box Office, ESPN PPV
🔗 https://t.co/uaCO9YNYzI#NgannouFury #BoxingOnly5… pic.twitter.com/ymVAbHLvUl

— 🥊Boxing Only🥊 (@BoxingOnly5) July 13, 2023

The Ukrainian will face Daniel Dubois on August 26th, 2023, as he defends his titles against the WBA mandatory.

But both of these respective bouts will delay a potential undisputed bout, with Fury’s fight being questioned.

"It’s a cash grab from both ends. I don’t believe Francis Ngannou thinks he’s going to win. In boxing, it’s all about the technique, style, and mechanics you use to get the job done – he has none of them.

"Francis Ngannou is an amazing, powerful athlete, he’s not a boxer and he’ll never be a boxer. It would be just as stupid if Tyson Fury was to get in the cage with Francis Ngannou because Francis Ngannou would absolutely obliterate Tyson Fury within 40-50 seconds," Bellew

Bellew On Usyk

One person that Bellew is aware of is Usyk. The Brit faced the Ukrainian in 2018 at cruiserweight. Despite putting in a respectable performance, Bellew was ultimately stopped in the eighth-round.

Therefore, the ‘Bomber’ is well qualified to give his take on Fury and Usyk. He accused the ‘Gypsy King’ of ultimately backing out of the biggest fight in boxing.

Usyk had accepted a 70-30 split to have a fight in April at Wembley. However, the fight didn’t get signed with the majority of the boxing community blaming Fury.

"This guy had his bluff called by Oleksandr Usyk who got thrown a bone at 30 per cent [purse split]. Guess what? He bit. He took it and they still found a way to back out.

"I think it’s a bit of a joke. Everyone is going on, ‘Tyson Fury should be stripped," Bellew

Khabib On Ngannou

The chances of Ngannou winning the fight are very slim. The former UFC heavyweight champion is making his boxing debut following his PFL deal which included an option to get in the ring.

But taking on one of the best heavyweights of this era is no mean feat. And this has been picked up by his fellow MMA stars.

Khabib Nurmagomedov was also linked with a crossover fight against Floyd Mayweather. Although that did not materialize, Conor McGregor ended up facing ‘TBE.’

The result was a 10th-round-stoppage loss for the Irishman. And given that Ngannou is not a professional boxer, Khabib urged the fighter to focus on MMA and the UFC.

"If [Ngannou] can go to boxing and he’s gonna make like $50/$60 million, he has to. Why not? I know Francis comes from very poor life, from Africa, he had no money, no house, nothing.

"If someone pays you more money, then go and take it. If your goal is money. But if you wanna make history and become the greatest heavyweight of all time, you have to stay in the UFC," Khabib stated

Cormier On Ngannou

On a more positive note, Daniel Cormier has given his backing to Ngannou to face Fury in the boxing match.

Cormier was initially very vocal about how he felt over the former UFC heavyweight champion’s decision to leave the organization.

Despite longstanding contract negotiations, Ngannou and Dana White failed to hash out an agreement.

Ngannou ended up leaving, as White infamously stated that Ngannou would never work with the UFC.

However, since that moment, Ngannou has inked a deal with the PFL. That will result in the star making his MMA debut with them in 2024, as well as having an advisory position on the PFL Africa Board. 

And for Cormier, he is happy to see Ngannou doing well. 

"First off, I’m sorry, Francis. I want to fumble your bag, too, Francis. Can I ask you a question? Do you have to be a little bit naive to go out in that world like that and know your value to the point that you will even, when it looked dark, to stand on your loyal and go, ‘It’ll happen for me.

"Francis had just enough of that, and now he finds himself – he’s going to make more money than he ever could have imagined making in his entire life because, guess what?

"They’re fighting in Saudi Arabia, which, somehow, literally just bought the PGA. … Francis and Tyson Fury are going to make so much money, it’s crazy," Ngannou

The fight will no doubt attract a mass audience, with all eyes on whether Ngannou can pull off an upset. Although he may not be the favorite, Ngannpou and Fury are one of the most colorful combat sport fighters around.

And fans can, therefore, expect plenty of fireworks in the ring.