Francis Ngannou boasts hands capable of putting Tyson Fury’s “lights out” this Sunday according to his Australian sparring partner, who insists ‘The Predator’ is a far greater hope of shocking world boxing than Conor McGregor six years ago.
Almost a year on from his surprise abdication of the UFC heavyweight throne, Ngannou is finally set to throw down against English megastar Fury in Saudi Arabia.
BOXING: Fury v Ngannou SUN 29th OCT 4AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
The crossover blockbuster will reportedly see the African favourite earn a $10 million purse, and has continually been compared during fight week to McGregor’s own 2017 boxing megafight with Floyd Mayweather.
Yet while the Irish megastar earned a whopping $85 million for that bout, and managed to go 10 rounds with Mayweather, he rarely troubled one of history’s greatest boxers before being finished himself.
But as for Ngannou?
According to undefeated Australian heavyweight Jackson Murray, the former UFC champ is far more capable of shocking the world than Notorious ever was.
“Because I’ve felt Francis Ngannou’s power,” Murray told Fox Sports Australia this week. “And I know if he connects, it’s lights out.”
Currently based out of Las Vegas and readying for his own US debut, Murray is one of several sparring partners employed to help Ngannou KO the Gypsy King.
While the former UFC champ has never boxed professionally, the 37-year-old was on a tear of six straight Octagon wins before quitting the UFC in January.
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The Cameroon native also boasts a punch that has been previously recorded on a PowerKube at 129,161.
Or put another way, a world record likened to being hit by a Ford Escort at full tilt.
To ensure it lands on Fury, Ngannou’s team have also used a range heavyweights for different looks during camp – among them, southpaw Murray.
Aged 28, the fighter dubbed ‘White Chocolate’ has opened his career with five straight wins and will next throw down against undefeated American Steven Torres on November 16 in the world’s fight capital.
His US debut will come on the undercard of an event boasting both Shakur Stevenson – who fights for the WBC lightweight title — and Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete, who controversially beat Aussie Liam Wilson.
In preparation, he has also sparred Ngannou.
While many are giving the UFC crossover star no chance against Fury this Sunday, Murray insists the heavyweight is a far greater chance than McGregor in his own hyped boxing debut.
Asked for a prediction, the Aussie said: “It’s difficult to bet against the lineal heavyweight champion of the world.
“Plus, Tyson Fury’s boxing IQ is second to none.
“So there are two possible outcomes this weekend, a late Fury stoppage or an early Ngannou knockout.”
So as for how the unthinkable becomes reality?
“Francis is a scary man,” Murray continued.
“And he’s been through so much adversity in his life — the adversity of adapting to a new sport will not impact him.
“Plus, it’s the heavyweight division.
“One can punch can change a fight, a career.
“And if there is one man with the raw power to do that, it’s Francis.
“He will hurt any man if he lands.”
Quizzed on their sparring, he continued: “His greatest strength is his power.
“But I was also surprised at how composed and measured he was as a boxer.
“He didn’t rush, took instruction well from his team.
“And Dewey Cooper is a great coach. There’s no better man to be in Francis’ corner on fight night.”
Murray also stressed Ngannou was a far bigger chance of upsetting Fury than McGregor had been in his own crossover fight.
“McGregor caught Mayweather clean a few times early in their fight which was impressive,” he said.
“And if Fury is to take shots and risks like that against Francis, I don’t think it will go down the same.
“I can see Francis exploding in intervals. And when Francis connects, it is lights out.”
While he may have been effectively working against Fury this fight, Murray also revealed he is now hopeful of joining the Brit’s next camp for his hyped December unification bout against Oleksander Usyk.
Given Usyk is a southpaw, Team Fury have been seeking out capable lefties and are already in negotiations with Aussie cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia for sparring.
“As a natural southpaw, I’d love to help Fury prepare for that fight,” Murray said.
“But I will also say this: I won’t be turning up just to share the ring with Tyson Fury.
“I’ll be coming into his camp to turn it on … show that there’s a hungry Aussie Lion on the way up.”