“Gotta Get Rid of Him”: Stephen A. Smith Warns Tyson Fury About Facing Mike Tyson’s Protege in Their Oct 28 Showdown

In the world of combat sports, the date October 28, 2023, looms large on the calendar as Tyson Fury prepares for a monumental showdown in Riyadh. His opponent? None other than former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. This matchup has been dubbed a ‘crossover bout,’ transcending the boundaries of mixed martial arts and boxing. Ngannou’s journey to this point is nothing short of inspirational, having triumphed over mental health struggles, addiction, and a remarkable weight loss of 112 pounds. What adds to his allure is his unbeaten record, a testament to his indomitable spirit.

Under the watchful guidance of former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, Ngannou is honing his skills in the sweet science. Training in Tyson’s signature style is no small feat, given the immense physical demands it places on an athlete. It’s a combination that could instill fear in most, but not according to the host of his eponymous show, Stephen A. Smith, who firmly believes that Tyson Fury is no ordinary opponent.

Tyson Fury boasts an impressive record of 33 wins, 1 draw, and 0 losses. His sole blemish came against Deontay Wilder, but other than that, he has remained undefeated. Notably, Fury recently inked a contract for a heavyweight championship bout against Oleksandr Usyk on December 23rd, once again in Saudi Arabia. It’s a testament to his commitment to the sport and his willingness to face the best.

Mike Tyson himself predicted that Ngannou would deliver a knockout punch when they square off in Riyadh. However, Smith questions whether Tyson Fury truly regards Ngannou as a legitimate threat. Negotiations for Fury’s next opponent initially centered around Usyk and fellow Briton Anthony Joshua, with the Ngannou fight seemingly an afterthought. Nevertheless, Smith firmly believes that Fury must take Ngannou seriously and aim to put him out of commission.

Smith’s concerns stem from the raw power that Ngannou possesses, a sentiment he voiced on his show, stating, “Francis Ngannou is training with boxing legend Mike Tyson for his fight with Tyson Fury. Fury’s boxing record is undefeated, 33-0-1. That one tie was with Deontay Wilder, their first fight of their trilogy. And by the way, per ESPN, Fury and Olexandr Usyk have signed contracts for an undisputed heavyweight championship fight in Saudi Arabia for December 23rd.”

“Talk about expecting nothing from Francis Ngannou. Why would you do this if you’re Tyson Fury? Clearly you’re not expecting Francis Ngannou to cause you any kind of problems whatsoever, right? Tyson Fury can’t afford to keep him around. He’s got too much power. You gotta get rid of him. You just have to,” Smith continued.

Tyson Fury’s perceived nonchalance towards the Ngannou fight could prove to be a misstep. While the heavyweight title may not be at stake, Smith believes that Ngannou has the potential to make life difficult for Fury. In Smith’s view, Fury must use this fight to make a statement and secure a convincing victory.

Mike Tyson’s role in training Francis Ngannou doesn’t appear to rattle Tyson Fury, who seems more interested in facing Usyk or Joshua. Nonetheless, Smith emphasizes that Fury has no choice but to handle Ngannou decisively, given the formidable power the former UFC champion wields.