Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.
Tyson Fury is willing to step into the boxing ring with Francis Ngannou – but with a twist.
UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou (16-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) has expressed interest in boxing Fury for years now and it appears Fury is willing to oblige.
But Fury, who has dabbled in some MMA training with former title challenger Darren Till in the past, suggested they box in UFC gloves.
Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?@danawhite @francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/xONNoT8NzR
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) January 6, 2022
Ngannou responded with a counter-proposal, flipping the script on Fury.
“How about MMA rules with boxing gloves? I can do you that favor.”
Fury retained his heavyweight title when he knocked out Deontay Wilder in Round 11 in a thrilling trilogy bout in October. Ngannou is set for his first title defense when he attempts to unify his belt with interim heavyweight champ and former teammate Ciryl Gane in the UFC 270 main event Jan. 22.
Ngannou currently is having negotiation troubles with the UFC, but if he were to re-sign with the promotion, he wants boxing to be a part of his new deal. In a recent interview with TMZ, Ngannou said he couldn’t see himself retiring without boxing, and he’s eyeing some of the biggest and most accomplished names like Fury and Wilder.
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