Freedom Arena: Riyadh; Saudi Arabia
The in action life of a fighter is very high, and very low. It’s especially the case in the world of the heavyweights. Francis Ngannou has been daring to be great. And when you put yourself out there like that, people will always talk about you. But in the grand scheme of things, it inspires the rest of the planet. However, after the vicious knockout he suffered by Anthony Joshua, will the fight we always talked about become reality.
Promoter Eddie Hearn who wasn’t trying to hide his smile, pleaded with Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk on May 18th. This way the long talked about and often dreamed about fight between Fury and Joshua gets made. While putting the contractual rematch clause on the side. Otherwise Joshua might be looking at something like 20-months to possibly become a three-time heavyweight champion.
It would be hard to argue with Hearn that this version of Joshua can’t be beat. Things are finally clicking with Ben Davisdon, and he’s fighting relaxed focused and efficient. From the opening bell he pumped out his jab that was pinpoint. It wrecked Ngannou while he continues something he did a lot in MMA. Bite on feints over and over again.
Will The Fight We Asked For Bring A Long Reigning Champion
Easy enough, no. While Lennox Lewis only defended holding all the straps three-times, both Fury and Joshua have teased retirement. With the money they’ve raked in and the look in their faces when saying it, it’s believable at this point.
This is all of course if Fury wins in May. A fight that was dreamed of to be landing in Wembley Stadium, has now been promised in the dessert of Saudi Arabia. A place that doesn’t deserve that bragging right. The king of boxing, between two UK fighters, should be held there. A gift to the 100,000 fans that would pack the Arena on the Island Country.
Now should Usyk upset the apple cart, Joshua may not get the opportunity for the trilogy with him. He was pieced apart in the first two-frames. No one wants that fight right now. Then again if Joshua is locked in… who knows. Although, he’d probably have to snag another victory first, and rely heavily on riding his bike.
Fury knows deep down what he’s dealing with now. Sure, you can say running over Ngannou means nothing. In a way it doesn’t. Although, AJ does have Fury’s old trainer. Fury can’t come in sloppy heavy to the fight. But he needs to keep Joshua on his back foot, and against the ropes. If Joshua can circle to his left, he should be in decent shape. But between chins the slight edge goes to Fury.
As for Ngannou, while Joshua told him “Don’t leave boxing”; he has to. Donn Davis paid good money to add him to the PFL’s roster. If you think what Joshua did to him is devastating, Renan Ferreira is just as dangerous with his hands… and moreso on the ground. At least the Cameroonian has serious bank now.
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