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The ‘Battle of the Baddest’ has concluded, and Tyson Fury emerged victorious in the squared arena. However, it wasn’t Fury who won the people’s mandate; it was Francis Ngannou. Ngannou’s masterful performance garnered immense appreciation from the general populace to the extent that many considered the match a robbery. It’s somewhat amusing to assert that Ngannou was not a boxer merely months ago.

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Dana White has been quite explicit with Francis Ngannou about the need to adhere to the UFC’s rules and forsake boxing if he wishes to continue in the promotion. However, some folks might find it perplexing that Conor McGregor was allowed to pursue a bout with Floyd Mayweather without similar constraints. Chael Sonnen delves into this intriguing parallel in his recent video, and it’s worth delving deeper into this matter to gain a better understanding.

Chael Sonnen explains the reason why Dana White didn’t let Francis Ngannou box

In his recent explanation, Chael Sonnen sheds light on why Dana White allowed Conor McGregor to venture into a boxing match against Floyd Mayweather while he didn’t grant the same opportunity to Francis Ngannou. Sonnen also emphasizes why Dana White’s decision was a prudent one as the CEO of the UFC.

‘The American Gangster’ asserted that the situation for Ngannou and McGregor was completely different. Sonnen said, “Use the one other example we had of Conor McGregor versus Floyd. That fight doesn’t work if Floyd isn’t 49 and 0 and going for 50, which was a big goal that he had established to the market years before.

 

He further added, “It doesn’t work if Conor McGregor is not a simultaneous two-division UFC champion. It’s a very different scenario. They don’t get them together if those boys go try to find each other today. It won’t work, right? The timing matters.” 

Sonnen further added another example of a boxing match that nearly bankrupted the promotion. He added, ” Chuck versus Tito part three that nobody watched drove a company out of business. I don’t fault those guys for it. I’m sharing with you it worked back here when they were in their youth, when they were at the top of their game when there was a belt on the line. It was a very different scenario.” Sonnen further asserted that he agreed with White’s decision to let Ngannou leave.

Sonnen agrees with White 

Chael Sonnen down in the conversation asserted that Dana White’s decision to let Francis Ngannou go was the right one and added that White didn’t sugarcoat any words but came out publicly to give his verdict. Sonnen added, “So, to execute or rather to enforce your right to a match clause, even if you’re not talking to the guy and you’ve got no plans to do it, you just want to do it to be annoying and hold the guy.”

Sonnen further added, “If you have the right, Dana didn’t do that. He came out publicly and said, ‘We are granting Francis a full release, no right to match, no exclusive 90-day period. He is free to go and reach a deal with anyone he would like to.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. recently shared a video showcasing his extensive collection of sneakers, and the response from fans was varied.

The famous boxer, often referred to as ‘Money’ Mayweather due to his penchant for displaying his wealth, regularly treats his followers to glimpses of his lifestyle, which he has acquired as the highest-paid boxer in the history of the sport.

In his latest video, the 46-year-old delighted fans by offering a glimpse into his sneaker room. Mayweather proudly mentioned that he only wears each pair of sneakers once.

Showing off

Floyd Mayweather

The comments from fans, however, were a mix of different reactions. While some viewers found Mayweather‘s display of wealth to be uninteresting, others were captivated by it and expressed a desire to see more of his extravagant possessions.

“We don’t see this kind of stuff from BezosMusk and them but yeah do you my guy,” a user wrote.

Another follower backed Mayweather noting that he is “enjoying the fruits of his career. Anybody else would be if they were in his position. I want to see his entire house, like a cribs tour. He doesn’t look too confident on that ladder.”

The 46-year-old boxing legend is currently getting ready for his upcoming exhibition fight against John Gotti III on June 11. Their bout will take place at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.

Ideally, Francis Ngannou would like to rematch Tyson Fury next.

After taking Fury to a split decision in their crossover boxing match this past Saturday in Saudi Arabia, Ngannou wants to avenge his loss. The former UFC heavyweight champion, who knocked down Fury in Round 3, thought he won the fight.

Ngannou is currently signed with PFL and does plan on stepping inside the cage at some point next year. However, he’d rather run things back with Fury first.

“The rematch is what I want next the most,” Ngannou told TMZ. “As for right now, I feel like there is a lot of options for me, but I want to choose wisely, and I would go for the rematch first.”

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

Fury is expected to face Oleksandr Usyk next, which was already in the works before the Fury-Ngannou fight even happened. Their undisputed heavyweight title fight will reportedly happen in February, but Ngannou hopes he can somehow meet Fury again before that.

“My best scenario in boxing is to wait for Fury,” Ngannou said. “If Usyk can step out and let me fight Fury, I’ll fight Fury. Then I’ll let them do whatever they do. I’ll go back, maybe do some MMA fight and come back and take some people in boxing. I’m planning to fight potentially twice next year, maybe February or March.”

If Ngannou doesn’t get his desired rematch right away, he’s willing to return to MMA then lace up the boxing gloves by the end of 2024.

“If it doesn’t work, I can still fight February or March in MMA,” Ngannou continued. “Then expecting by the end of the year, this time October because it’s going to give me at least seven to eight months to recover from my MMA fight in case something happens.”

Carl Frampton insists Tyson Fury remains a likely winner against Oleksandr Usyk despite his below-par performance against Francis Ngannou.

Fury secured a controversial split decision victory in Saudi Arabia and will fight Usyk next in a unification heavyweight bout.

Frampton believes Fury can still have the edge over Usyk, despite the scare on Saturday against Ngannou.

“I still have Fury as a favourite against Usyk,” Frampton told BBC Sport.

“He obviously needs to be much better than he was in his last fight, which he will be.”

A fight between Fury and Usyk was scheduled to take place on 23 December, but BBC Sport understands that is now doubtful, with Fury’s team keen for the fight to take place in February after a gruelling encounter with Ngannou.

Fury is the WBC champion, and although the belt was not on the line against Ngannou, the Briton almost lost his undefeated record as a boxer.

After Fury was announced a narrow winner, Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles, came face to face with the ‘Gypsy King’ in a somewhat anti-climatic staredown in the ring.

Fury, 35, has received strong criticism following the poor display against Ngannou, but Frampton, a former two-weight world champion, believes the reaction has been over the top.

“He [Fury] didn’t let the boxing community down, but he’s probably upset and annoyed at himself because it was a poor performance,” Frampton said.

“It seems he’s doing too much. Both guys were at the gala dinner [in Saudi Arabia] the night before the event, what’s that about?

“I wouldn’t have been doing that if I was fighting. I would have been resting, but we all know Fury is much better than what we saw, and everyone is entitled to a bad performance once in a while.”

‘I couldn’t believe what I was watching at times’

Although Fury struggled on Saturday, Frampton praised Cameroon-born Ngannou for his impressive display of boxing skills.

tyson fury and oleksandr usyk

Ngannou, who made his professional boxing debut on Saturday, was able to knock Fury down with a well-timed counter, the seventh time Fury has hit the floor in a boxing ring.

“I couldn’t believe what I was watching at times. I expected Francis to look really wild and amateurish, novicey and be swinging from his feet, and he wasn’t,” Frampton said.

“He had a nice stylish stance, he looked like he had been boxing for a long time. He was very tough and powerful. Fury couldn’t work him out.

“It was a harder night than anyone anticipated. This isn’t me being the boxer slamming the MMA guys. Who in their rational mind would have thought Francis would’ve pushed Fury like that?”

Frampton says Fury should reset before taking the fight with Usyk.

“He needs to go away and take a wee break. His life looks like it’s been manic with the Netflix stuff going on, he seems to be everywhere and he’s very accessible – maybe too accessible,” Frampton said.

“Fury just needs to have boxing at the forefront of his mind and let other people worry about the media obligations.

“He just needs to focus on boxing, and he will be back with a bang.”

The 5 Live Boxing Tour will take place around the United Kingdom over the next few months with Frampton and Paddy Barnes kicking off the first event in Belfast on Tuesday.

Talks about a showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have circulated for years. However, a bout between the two rivals never materialized due to multiple issues. Despite fans’ anticipation of a clash between the two heavyweight titans, the two were set to face separate opponents in Riyadh this year, with Joshua on the undercard against Deontay Wilder. However, after a brutal knockdown by Francis Ngannou, the dates for Fury’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk might get pushed even further.

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In his boxing debut last weekend in Saudi Arabia, former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou faced Tyson Fury and surpassed expectations. Despite the loss, Ngannou impressed by taking Fury to a contentious split decision. Ngannou landed a good number of impactful punches than Fury throughout the 10 rounds. Ultimately, he narrowly lost by just one point on the scorecards. With Ngannou on the heavyweight list, Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter has some new advice for Joshua.

Why should Anthony Joshua fight Francis Ngannou? Eddie Hearn explains.

As the promoter has revealed, Ngannou had shown interest in a fight with Joshua. However, Joshua rejected it, since he wanted to fight for a belt. But now, Ngannou’s performance against Fury might change the narrative. Though Ngannou suffered a loss, multiple boxers came forward to iterate that Ngannou was the one who deserved the win. What Ngannou has achieved cannot be taken lightly. This is why Hearn believes taking up the Cameroonian as his next opponent will be of advantage to Joshua.’

Anthony Joshua

My advice to Anthony Joshua would be to take that fight, because one, he beats him comfortably and two, it’s massive, you imagine them next to each other, I’m talking rumble in the jungle part two in Africa.” The ‘Gypsy King’ himself admitted to Ngannou giving him the toughest fight in the last decade. A fight against one with such heavy credibility would take the boxing world by storm. Since Ngannou barely has any boxing experience, beating him would not be a herculean task for the seasoned boxer either, or so you think?

Why has Anthony Joshua not fought Tyson Fury yet?

In 2022, negotiations between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua for the highly anticipated all-British heavyweight world title fight became dramatic. Fury set deadlines for the bout, but Joshua missed them, leading to the fight’s cancellation. Fury extended the deadline, proposing the fight via social media in 2023 after Oleksandr Usyk’s unavailability. However, Joshua planned a return in August and a bout with Deontay Wilder in December.

Fury explored alternative matchups, including facing Jon Jones, causing dissatisfaction from Hearn.

The Fury-Joshua bout generated excitement due to its potential as two elite-level British heavyweights test their prowess against one another. It will be a clash of Fury’s elusive style with Joshua’s power, global fanbases, and their charismatic personalities.

Ngannous certainly has obtained his share of laurels after battling Fury. Do you agree with Hearn? Would a fight with Ngannou be of use to Joshua? Moreover, will Ngannou be ready for one?

Jack Catterall is coming after all the best fighters around the super lightweight division.

Off the back of a win over Jorge Linares last month, Catterall’s main aim is to secure a rematch with bitter rival Josh Taylor.

The pair fought last year and Catterall surprised everyone, as he dropped Taylor in the eighth round and seemed set for an upset victory before the judges awarded the Scotsman a split decision win.

Since then, Catterall has insisted that he deserved to win and he told talkSPORT: “It became personal after the fight, he said a lot of things, a lot of direct messages, a lot of back and forth.

“I don’t hold stuff too personally in the sport of boxing, it’s a business but with Taylor it has become a bit personal.”

Catterall is hoping to get out next in February and Taylor could be an option as an opponent, if promoter Eddie Hearn can make it happen.

‘El Gato’ revealed that if the rematch were to take place it would be at a catchweight, as Taylor wants to move up in weight from 140 lbs.

Gervonta Davis

But, if that fight doesn’t take place, there are countless other big names at Catterall’s weight class that he wants to get in the ring with, as he said: “You’ve got Ryan Garcia, the winner of Devin Haney vs Regis Prograis, there’s a bucketful of names.”

Catterall continued: “I’m ranked in all the governing bodies in the top ten and currently holding the WBA International title, so it’s about what fight puts me in that number one spot to challenge for a world title.

“We’ve got Haney vs Prograis on December 9, that’ll be a fight I’ll be keeping a close eye on.”

The Lancashire-born fighter explained that he had previously been in talks with Prograis, before continuing: “That’s a fight I love as well, I’ve been to a couple of his fights and I need and want that opportunity to prove that I can mix it and I can beat these guys.”

Catterall was then asked about Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and he said: “Yeah I love that fight.

“I’m in the sport of boxing to be involved in these big fights, I don’t want to finish my career in the next four or five years not being that fighter whose taken the opportunities and that’s why I’m staying in the gym and staying ready so when the call comes in I’ll be ready for these fights.”

Gervonta “Tank” Davis has established himself as one of the biggest names in boxing over a 10-year career, with world titles in three different weight classes.

Davis was most recently in the ring against Ryan Garcia in a matchup between two of the sport’s premiere stars, with “Tank” coming out on top with a spectacular seventh-round stoppage.

But that fight was back in April, and boxing is very much a “what have you done lately?” type of sport, so fans and pundits await Davis’ next bout to see who he’ll take on next.

Count former two-division world champion Antonio Tarver among those who want to see Davis continually testing himself against the best that the sport has to offer, with Tarver saying “Tank” needs to step back into the ring soon.

“I think he’s the goods,” Tarver told Betway. “I love seeing him fight, he’s the culture right now and everyone can relate to Gervonta Davis, but I want to see him fight those big names too because you’re only as big as the person you’ve beat.

Gervonta-Davis

“A lot of the times, people say ‘who has he beat?’ At the end of the day that’s what you’ve got to ask to yourself.

“But I believe those big fights are out there, but it takes two to tango. We’ve got to get those guys willing to take those risks and fight these guys, to fight and take the chances of laying it all on the line and not being so picky about the guys you don’t fight.

“If you’re the best, you’ll figure it out inside those 12 rounds. A lot of times you don’t have it figured out until you step in there but sometimes you’ve got to take risks, and nothing is more rewarding than the risks you take.”

Tarver has one particular name in mind for Davis — another undefeated fighter who has held world titles in multiple weight classes and is still in his prime.

It only makes sense for Davis to eventually face Shakur Stevenson in a “legendary” fight, Tarver said.

“The big name fighters are out there and I think we will see Gervonta Davis in the ring with the likes of the biggest names we want to see but those guys have got to get on his level, keep winning and eventually the cream is going to rise to the top and we’re going to have a process of elimination,” he said.

“I can see Gervonta Davis or Shakur Stevenson being the last man standing – that is a great fight. A little too soon right now but it is definitely in the making to be one of those fights we will call a legendary night because the winner will become an instant legend, and the GOAT!”

Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis are two of the top talents fighting out of the US, and a fight down the line is potentially one of the best the sport can offer.

Haney became undisputed at lightweight in 2022, and successfully – albeit closely – defended that crown against Vasily Lomachenko in May of this year.

He has since decided to try his hand at 140lbs having been tight at 135 for some time, and recently said that to make the ‘biggest fight in boxing’ with knockout artist ‘Tank’ Davis, it would need to be at the higher weight.

Speaking to Mill City Boxing, Coach Kenny Ellis said that Haney’s demand for the fight to be at super-light was ‘crazy’ – especially given the fact that he’s not shut the door on a move back down.

Gervonta Davis

Regardless, Ellis feels that the mention of his fighter’s name is purely to drum up hype, and things will go quiet when the time to fight him comes around.

Haney faces Regis Prograis for his WBC 140 world title in December.

He still holds three of the four titles in the lightweight division, but he has been made Champion in Recess by the WBC. That means the vacant belt will be fought for by Shakur Stevenson and Edwin De Los Santos this month.

Should Stevenson win, Ellis wants that fight for his man before the Haney bout.

Davis has ruled out fighting this year, meaning his victory over Ryan Garcia in April – followed by a stint in prison – will be the sole outing. He has promised fans they will see him return in early 2024.

Deontay Wilder’s team has made it clear who they would most like to box next saying ‘it’s my favourite fight in boxing.’

Francis Ngannou’s fantastic showing in his narrow split decision points loss to Tyson Fury has very much catapulted his name into contention for some of the biggest fights in the heavyweight division, not least American knockout artist, Wilder.

At the same time, Wilder has long been courting a fight with Brit Anthony Joshua, who has also been put in the frame for a fight with Ngannou by his promoter, Eddie Hearn.

Anthony-Joshua and Deontay-Wilder

Speaking to Fight Hype, Wilder’s trainer, Malik Scott was asked who they would like ‘The Bronze Bomber’ to fight most if he could choose and the former heavyweight didn’t hesitate with his answer.

Wilder hasn’t fought for over a year since his first-round knockout of Robert Helenius so he needs to move fast to secure his next opponent, while Joshua last fought against the same man in August and won with a seventh-round knockout.

A match-up between the two looked certain for the end of this year until an agreed deal was withdrawn by Saudi Arabia’s Skills Challenge Promotions.

Tyson Fury was scheduled to fight Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship on Dec. 23, but that match has now been delayed by two months after the former fighter suffered two cuts and struggled to put away ex-UFC champion Frances Ngannou last Saturday, according to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger.

Fury won via split decision over Ngannou, who was making his professional boxing debut. However, numerous fans and analysts believe Ngannou won the fight.

As Coppinger noted, Usyk and Fury were initially supposed to fight last April before talks fell through. Now the fight will be delayed until February, but their contract includes a two-way rematch clause, so a second bout between the two appears very likely.

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

Coppinger noted that the clause “virtually” guarantees a second bout later in the 2024 calendar year.

Fury, 35, is 34-0-1 lifetime with 24 knockouts. Only two of his fights have gone to split decisions, with the other one being a draw against Deontay Wilder in Dec. 2018. He later beat Wilder for the WBC heavyweight title in Feb. 2020, retained it against him in Oct. 2021 and defeated Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora in ensuing belt defenses.

Usyk, 36, is 21-0 lifetime with 14 knockouts. He currently holds the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles. He earned the former four belts after taking down Anthony Joshua via unanimous decision in Sept. 2021 before defending those titles (and adding The Ring championship in a split decision win over Joshua 11 months later.

Usyk’s last time in the ring occurred in August, when he beat Daniel Dubois via ninth-round KO.