Who is Tyson Fury’s next opponent after defeating Francis Ngannou?
In the world of heavyweight boxing, there's a growing anticipation surrounding the next challenge for Tyson Fury. The British boxing sensation, who currently holds the WBC heavyweight title, recently faced an unexpected contender in Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion.
After a hard-fought bout, Fury secured the victory but with a fair share of controversy. Now, all eyes are on his next opponent, and it seems that Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated Ukrainian fighter, is the prime candidate.
On Saturday, Tyson Fury narrowly beat Francis Ngannou on a split decision after climbing off the canvas. When former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou faced Fury in a crossover event in Saudi Arabia, it was his first boxing match.
Because it was a non-title 10-round fight, Fury was never in risk of losing his WBC heavyweight belt. However, his pride and reputation will have suffered significantly ahead of the most crucial match of his career.
Fury's recent match against Ngannou had fans and pundits buzzing. Despite being perceived as an unlikely opponent, Ngannou put up a formidable fight, pushing Fury to the limit in ten intense rounds. Prior to this clash, Fury had already signed up for a showdown with Usyk, indicating that he might have considered Ngannou as more of a tune-up bout than a serious competition.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship
Fury and Usyk have been on a collision course for quite some time. Negotiations for their bout began earlier in the year but eventually stalled. Instead, Usyk defended his WBO, IBF, and WBA titles against spirited British challenger Daniel Dubois in August. After Fury's encounter with Ngannou, which left him visibly marked up, the stage seems set for the much-anticipated clash between these two champions.
After Fury's win against Ngannou, he and Usyk faced off in the ring, confirming the showdown that fans have been eagerly waiting for. While there is no official date set yet, it was initially expected to happen on December 23. However, Fury's tough battle with Ngannou has raised concerns about his readiness for the fight. The champion will need to assess his recovery before the bout's official confirmation.
Tyson Fury's remarkable journey
Tyson Fury's journey in the heavyweight division has been nothing short of remarkable. He burst onto the scene by defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, becoming a unified world champion. He never lost those titles in the ring, but due to inactivity, they became vacant. Fury made a sensational return in 2018, drawing controversy with Deontay Wilder before ultimately defeating him in a rematch to secure the WBC title. His 2021 trilogy fight against Wilder solidified his position as a dominant force in the heavyweight division.
Last year, Fury headlined two stadium fights in London, stopping Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora to defend his title, further establishing his dominance in the division.
Oleksandr Usyk is an olympic gold medalist
Oleksandr Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion and an Olympic gold medalist at London 2012, made a seamless transition to the heavyweight division. In 2021, he dethroned Anthony Joshua to win the IBF, WBO, and WBA titles. Usyk defended these belts with authority and continued to represent his homeland, Ukraine, even amidst political turmoil. With the upcoming Fury fight, the boxing world is set to witness its first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly two decades.
The quest for an undisputed heavyweight champion has been a long and elusive one. It's been two decades since Lennox Lewis held the title. While the Klitschko brothers dominated the division, they never fought each other, leaving the question of the true heavyweight champion unanswered. Fury's victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 breathed new life into the division, but a clash between Fury and Joshua, two reigning champions, never materialized. Now, with Fury vs. Usyk, the boxing world is on the cusp of finally getting the answer it has long sought.
The road to an undisputed heavyweight champion has been anything but straightforward. From unexpected challengers like Ngannou to postponed matches and long-standing rivalries, Tyson Fury's path to securing his place as the true heavyweight champion has been filled with twists and turns. As the world eagerly awaits the Fury-Usyk showdown, one thing is certain: the boxing world is on the verge of witnessing history and finally crowning an undisputed heavyweight champion after a wait that seemed almost endless.
- India's sports fraternity calls for nation to explore Indian Islands amid Maldives row
- Neeraj Goyat represents India among galaxy of legends at World Boxing Council Convention 2023
- India scheduled to participate in IBA Junior World Boxing Championships 2023
- Who is Tyson Fury’s next opponent after defeating Francis Ngannou?
- What’s next for Francis Ngannou after Tyson Fury defeat?