Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has weighed in on the expected boxing showdown between ex-heavyweight titleholders Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Francis Ngannou believes Tyson Fury should be a slight favorite if Fury finally meets Anthony Joshua in the long-awaited heavyweight blockbuster expected for the fourth quarter of this year. The former UFC champion shared his view as anticipation continues to build around one of boxing’s biggest possible all-British matchups, a fight that would likely become one of the sport’s biggest commercial events of 2024.
Ngannou said he would lean narrowly toward Fury, pointing to Fury’s mobility and comfort level against experienced boxers. In Ngannou’s view, Fury’s bigger uncertainty comes when he faces an opponent who doesn’t fit the traditional pro-boxing mold.
That opinion carries extra weight because Ngannou has been in the ring with both men. In October 2023, he shocked much of the boxing world by dropping Fury and pushing him to a split decision in a fight many fans expected to be one-sided. Then in March 2024, Joshua stopped Ngannou in the second round, a result that reinforced Joshua’s power and sharpness as he tried to force his way back into the title picture.
From a divisional standpoint, Fury vs. Joshua would still be massive even after both men took damaging losses in the recent title shuffle. If Fury wins, he strengthens his case as the era’s premier commercial heavyweight and moves back toward another championship opportunity. If Joshua wins, he likely becomes the biggest non-title attraction in the division while reviving arguments that he remains the most dangerous top contender outside the belt holders.
For American fans, the fight has long carried crossover appeal because it’s the rare heavyweight event that feels bigger than the belts themselves. Fury brings unpredictability and personality; Joshua brings structure, power, and mainstream star value. That contrast is a major part of why the matchup has lingered as a must-see event even after years of delays.
For now, Ngannou’s read is simple: slight edge to Fury. The next thing to watch is whether the long-discussed fight finally gets across the finish line and, if it does, which version of each heavyweight shows up when the bell rings.
