Boxing
Teddy Atlas gives verdict on Tyson Fury's win over Francis Ngannou
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Legendary boxing analyst and trainer Teddy Atlas has claimed that WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury was not mentally prepared for his crossover fight with MMA star Francis Ngannou.
The pair went head-to-head this past weekend in Saudi Arabia and what transpired was something that nobody expected.
Fury was billed as an overwhelming favourite against someone who was making their professional boxing debut, but Ngannou looked anything but a novice throughout the 10-round contest.
Ngannou frustrated Fury throughout the fight and even knocked down the Brit in round three, however, this was not enough with Fury being declared the winner on a split decision.
Speaking on The Fight, Atlas criticised Fury's mentality whilst also praising Ngannou's punching power.
“Not unprepared physically but perhaps, mentally,” Atlas said when discussing the WBC champion's mentality.
“[Ngannou] was the puncher in this fight no doubt about it. Fury is a terrific fighter, a terrific boxer and everything else but he’s not the pure puncher.
"He’s a big guy, he hits you, he knocks out certain guys, he knocked out Wilder twice I mean, he hit you with all that size, he hit you right of course he’s a puncher but pure TNT, only certain guys have it and I think the guy who really had it that night in a pure way is probably Ngannou."
