Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has spoken out about the controversial outcome of the boxing fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou.
On Saturday evening, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Kamaru Usman attended the super fight between WBC champion, Tyson Fury, and former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou. Along with Israel Adesanya and Mike Tyson, Usman accompanied Ngannou to the ring. Even if he did not emerge victorious from the confrontation, Ngannou shocked the whole world. He scored a knockdown on Fury and many saw the Cameroonian winning the fight. However, after 10 rounds, he lost by split decision.
After the antics, international media caught up with Kamaru Usman to get his reaction to the fight. Usman explained that he believes Ngannou is 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.
