By: Sean Crose
It would possibly seem to be one thing out of an outdated Monty Python skit, however a bald, towering, loud heavyweight boxing champion of the world – who frankly isn’t ever actually trying in peak situation – is squaring off in opposition to a boxing novice this weekend within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This isn’t a skit nevertheless. It’s actual life and it provides a singular look into the present state not solely {of professional} boxing, however of fight sports activities fully. For, on Saturday, WBC and lineal heavyweight champ Tyson Fury will likely be battling UFC nice Francis Ngannou in a pay per view affair. While there’s little question Ngannou is a thunderously arduous puncher, it’s arduous to think about him besting the person who arguably stopped the toughest puncher in historical past in Deontay Wilder not as soon as however twice.
Not that it issues.
This unlikely ring pairing is anticipated to herald a ton of eyeballs and money (a minimum of that’s what the folks behind this monumental novelty act hope). It’s straightforward to solid off Fury as a form of boxing villain in all this, somebody who’s expressly in it for the paydays and the straightforward work, however the actuality is that Fry has signed to combat fellow titlist (and intensely skilled boxer) Oleksandr Usyk after the Ngannou combat. Make no mistake about it, Fury-Usyk is a serious battle, one which presents an actual problem to Fury. Not that Ngannou poses no risk by any means – the person can combat, in any case, and may hit like a sledge hammer. He’s not a boxer, although, and that lack of ring expertise, versus expertise within the octagon, ought to (“should” being the operative phrase right here) make all of the distinction.
Back to the straightforward cash argument for a second. Just as a result of Fury has proved he’s prepared to tackle severe threats like Usyk doesn’t imply the person is above a money seize, which this Saturday’s bout with Ngannou is prone to be. Is that fallacious, although? Who would truly flip down the form of cash Fury is assured to earn this Saturday in Saudi Arabia? If the person had been ducking Usyk, as he was as soon as accused of doing, then expenses of going the straightforward route would possibly stick. Now that the world has been knowledgeable that Fury-Usyk is a accomplished deal, that argument not holds water. So sure, Fury is properly inside his rights to select up some fast money this weekend. So lengthy as he doesn’t utterly write off the Mike Tyson educated Ngannou, it ought to all find yourself being a case of no hurt, no foul.
This novelty combat stuff is rising tiresome for severe boxing followers, nevertheless. How might it not?
