Current WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, is gearing up for an unconventional showdown in his next fight as he prepares to face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The scheduled 10-round bout will be Ngannou’s first venture into boxing, making it an intriguing crossover event.
Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the WBC, has expressed his full support for Fury’s decision to engage in a non-title fight. In an interview with Sky Sports, Sulaiman stated, “The WBC is absolutely supportive of Tyson Fury and his decision to engage in a non-title bout and a WBC special event contest.”
Sulaiman highlighted Fury’s botched efforts to secure an undisputed championship fight against Oleksandr Usyk and the challenges he faced in negotiations with other contenders. “He has tried to land a fight with the unified champion several times, with [Anthony] Joshua and [Andy] Ruiz and all credible opponents, and not having a mandatory contender, he may engage in this type of event under the WBC rules,” Sulaiman explained.
Currently, the WBC has a policy in place for determining a mandatory challenger for Fury’s heavyweight title. Former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder and former WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion, Andy Ruiz have been instructed to participate in a final eliminator, but the bout is yet to take place. Sulaiman further emphasized: “the WBC has been flexible and supporting to try to find the best mandatory contender of the WBC in the division.”
While Wilder vs. Ruiz would be an ideal eliminator for determining the mandatory challenger, the fight’s status remains uncertain. Sulaiman clarified that if the eliminator does not materialize, the WBC will have to consider alternative measures, including creating a new ruling to that effect.
The prospect of Tyson Fury stepping into the boxing ring against Francis Ngannou has sparked immense excitement among fans of both boxing and MMA. Although it is not a title fight, the outcome of the match would help determine who is stronger between the two heavyweight fighters and what sport provides one with the better advantage over the other.
Leon Osamor
