Usyk Reacts To Fury-Ngannou, Fury-Usyk December Date In Doubt

In the latest boxing news, Oleksandr Usyk has reacted to Tyson Fury’s split-decision win over Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The unified heavyweight champion had been ringside as Fury took part in a major crossover event. Prior to the fight, the narrative was that Fury would end up stopping the former UFC heavyweight champion who was making his boxing debt.

But rather than that being the case, Ngannou put up a stellar performance. This was characterised by Ngannou’s left hook, which caused Fury issues on more than one occasion.

Ngannou first connected with the left hook in the second round, which resulted in a cut above Fury’s eye. That was then followed up by another left hook in the third round which sent Fury to the canvas before the latter got back up.

And given that Fury had been knocked down, it did take Usyk by surprise. And yet, the Ukrainian did not go as far as saying who he had seen as the winner. Having said that, though, Usyk suggested that perhaps Fury may have overlooked Ngannou.

Usyk Reacts

“I had an impression that he was playing. I’m not thinking about [whether he was playing possum] but I will be training 100 percent. But listen, it’s boxing. Maybe it was the element of surprise. Maybe. I think it was show. See you 23 December. I don’t know [if this make me more confident], I have no idea.

“Listen, [Ngannou] is a world champion at MMA, that was a hard punch. Then there’s the element of surprise. Maybe Tyson Fury didn’t take it serious, Oh it’s an MMA fighter blah blah blah”. I don’t know. Of course I was surprised [by the knockdown]. I watched the knockdown and I said, “Oh, oh, oh Francis! Be careful please!” I was saying, “Tyson! Jab, jab jab, move, jab!” I was saying that,” Usyk

Fury-Usyk Date

As a result, the fight date of December 23rd has now been called into question. Following the victory, both Fury and Frank Warren did not commit 100 percent to the fight date.

In fact, Fury remained coy while Warren expressed doubt about the chances of it going ahead this year. That is the last thing that boxing fans will want to hear given that they have been waiting since 1999 to see the next undisputed heavyweight champion.

That was when Lennox Lewis overcame Evander Holyfield to achieve that feat. In response to issue of the fight date, this is what Fury and Warren had to say.

“Listen, it’s not up to me. I’m a fighter, he’s a fighter. I’m sure we’d go now. Let’s go now if you want, but listen, these guys will sort it all out and it’ll be our next fight, guaranteed,” Fury

“I don’t think the date will be announced yet, in my opinion. But the fight is wanted. It’s done. This man done it here, his excellency [Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh]. This fight is on. These guys both want it. And it’s just a matter of now setting the date,” Warren