In an upcoming fight this Friday, March 8th, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are set to face off, a bout eagerly awaited by boxing fans, according to Tyson Fury.
Referred to as the ‘Gypsy King,’ Fury acknowledges Ngannou for garnering attention from the boxing community, paving the way for a lucrative showdown with the renowned Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) at the Kingdom Arena.
Fury emphasized that the opportunity for Ngannou to stand toe to toe with A.J. on Friday is partly attributable to his decision to give the former UFC heavyweight champion a chance to fight him last October. The boxing event was also pursued by Saudi stakeholders, who demonstrated interest in seeing Fury take on Ngannou.
“I played a role in his financial success.”
Expressing his excitement for the upcoming match, Fury commented, “I believe it’s going to be an outstanding fight,” during an interview at the Charlie Parson fight. The discussion centered around the impending clash between Joshua and Ngannou.
Fury, reflecting on his own encounter with Ngannou last October, acknowledged that many considered it a lopsided affair despite his receiving what was deemed by some boxing enthusiasts as a contentious 10-round split decision victory in Riyadh. He mentioned the recognition he felt he hadn’t received.
“I placed him in the spotlight, made him a wealthy individual, and now, I’m further enhancing his financial standing,” Fury added, referring to Ngannou. “He should express his gratitude towards me. He should show appreciation by acknowledging what I’ve done for him.”
Fury highlights the fact that he played a pivotal role in elevating Ngannou’s profile and popularity among boxing fans. However, he fails to mention that the bout was of interest to Saudi stakeholders, who facilitated the match. Without Saudi involvement, Fury might not have considered facing Ngannou, presumably due to budget constraints.
Interestingly, Fury calls on Ngannou to show some gratitude and appreciation for being alongside him in the ring, a sentiment that may appear somewhat amiss. Ngannou should recognize the contributions of Saudi stakeholders, as they were crucial in making the fight a reality.
