Fury and Ngannou's Reunion Sparks Size Banter Gypsy King Prepares for Usyk Showdown
In a rare encounter since their "Battle of the Baddest" clash in Saudi Arabia last year, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou crossed paths at the Joy Awards in Riyadh on Saturday, January 20. The Gypsy King, donned in a custom Navid Salimian suit, couldn't resist joking about Ngannou's size, quipping, "He's a big fella, isn't he?" The two heavyweights shook hands amicably, showcasing camaraderie despite their previous intense showdown. Fury, currently gearing up to face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed title on February 17, shared a lighthearted moment with Ngannou at the event. Fury aims to unify the division in Saudi Arabia, marking the first time since Lennox Lewis' victory over Evander Holyfield in 1999. Reflecting on his last bout against Ngannou in October 2023, Fury acknowledges the need for an improved performance. Despite winning via split decision, Ngannou's knockdown in the third round raised eyebrows. In the "Battle of the Baddest," Fury attempted a right hand, but Ngannou countered with a powerful left hook, sending the WBC champion to the canvas. While opinions varied on the bout's outcome, Fury secured the victory, paving the way for his upcoming clash with Usyk. Ngannou, undeterred by the loss, garnered respect in the heavyweight division, leading to a scheduled bout with Anthony Joshua on March 8 in Saudi Arabia. Originally set to face Deontay Wilder, Joshua's plans changed after Wilder's defeat to Joseph Parker. With Ngannou's rise in the WBC rankings, Joshua seized the opportunity, agreeing to the match. The winner of Joshua vs. Ngannou is poised to face the victor of Fury's showdown with Usyk, creating anticipation for future heavyweight clashes. As the boxing world eagerly awaits these matchups, the Joy Awards reunion offered a glimpse of sportsmanship amid fierce competition. #FuryVsUsyk #TysonFury #FrancisNgannou #BoxingShowdown #HeavyweightClash #GypsyKing #UsykShowdown #BattleOfTheBaddest #JoyAwards #SaudiBoxing
