Legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas has suggested Francis Ngannou should be allowed to pick Tyson Fury up during their potential exhibition fight
Fury teased a 'hybrid-rules' fight with Ngannou after knocking out Dillian Whyte in their heavyweight world title fight last weekend. 'The Gypsy King' insisted he was still retiring after the win, but is open to an exhibition fight with UFC champion Ngannou.
Ngannou is out of contract with the UFC and wants a clause in a new contract that will allow him to fight Fury. The Cameroonian, who is recovering from knee surgery, will be free to leave the UFC at the end of this year and thinks a fight with Fury could be made for 2023.
Atlas thinks some rules should be altered for the fight to favour Ngannou, as he said on his podcast ' The Fight ': My estimation, at least give them one minute of one round where [Ngannou] is allowed to grab him and pick him up in the air over his shoulders. Francis might be able to do it. As big as he is, he might be up there if Rocky can pick up Hulk Hogan, I think Francis can pick up Fury."
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"To me that has to happen because of the money involved and it's going to take on another domain, a whole other realm. You've got Ngannou a big, massive strong man who can punch like hell against the heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, it's a monster movie but it's not fair."
Crossover fights between MMA fighters and boxers have been criticised because of the ruleset that favours the boxer. Atlas thinks that even if the pair box in 4oz MMA gloves, Ngannou is still at a disadvantage and might not land a single punch on Fury.
"You know why it's not fair? Until you make the rules where both of them can use their skills in an octagon or ring, it's not fair," he continued. "I've gained a great respect for the UFC and the code they live by, but to say that's a fair of finding out who the better fighter is? The boxer is going to win.
"There's a good chance that Ngannou, as much I love him, might never land a punch on Fury with MMA gloves even being relevant. He's in there with a guy who has taught for his whole career and life how to avoid punches from top fighters."
