By Fernando Quiles
– October 29, 2023
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has weighed in on the controversial outcome to the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou boxing match.
Usman was in attendance for the big boxing match that took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 28. He was also joined by former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in walking Ngannou down to the ring. Ngannou shocked the world despite not emerging victorious. He scored a knockdown on Fury during the fight and went the distance for a split decision loss.
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Kamaru Usman Reacts to Ngannou’s Split Loss to Fury
After the fight, MMAJunkie caught up with Kamaru Usman to get his reaction to the fight. Usman made it clear that he believes Ngannou was the more effective boxer.
“(Ngannou) landed the harder shots, the cleaner shots – but it’s boxing,” Usman told MMA Junkie on his way out of Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. “(The judges) are going to do what they’re going to do. Of course I’m proud – yes, very proud. I knew this: I said if Francis touches you, either hand, it’s going to be a problem. I (thought) Tyson Fury felt that, and that’s why he just decided to point fight (and play safe).”
Usman went on to say he thinks boxing promoters now see the value of Francis Ngannou and the challenges he can pose to legit elite heavyweights in the sport.
“Either (the rematch or a new opponent) – it doesn’t matter,” Usman said. “Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, all those other guys, the big big-name heavyweights – I think now they see what Francis Ngannou has to offer.”
Ngannou figures to be in for more lucrative paydays, and it’s because he gambled on himself by leaving the UFC in favor of fulfilling his boxing dream.
