Tony Bellew is disappointed to see Tyson Fury opting for money over legacy by fighting Francis Ngannou instead of Oleksandr Usyk.
After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed on Tuesday that Fury will face off against the former UFC heavyweight champion on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under boxing rules.
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‘The Bomber’ believes both men are just out to make money in a fight he is convinced Fury will win in a few minutes if he wants to.
“It’s a cash grab from both ends,” Bellew told talkSPORT Breakfast.
“I don’t believe Francis Ngannou thinks he’s going to win. Yes, he could be one of the strongest men in the world with 4oz gloves on, and his technique doesn’t matter because he’s so heavy-handed and physically strong and that’s what plays a factor in his sport.
“In boxing, it’s all about the technique, style, and mechanics you use to get the job done – he has none of them. Francis Ngannou is an amazing, powerful athlete, he’s not a boxer and he’ll never be a boxer.
“It would be just as stupid if Tyson Fury was to get in the cage with Francis Ngannou because Francis Ngannou would absolutely obliterate Tyson Fury within 40-50 seconds.
“I genuinely believe Tyson Fury, if he chooses to, could get rid of Francis Ngannou in a round. MMA and boxing are two completely different sports, it’s like saying rugby and football are the same because they are played with a ball.
“It is going to be entertaining. Tyson Fury will entertain. He’ll talk a great deal, sell the show to the limit and it will do great financially. As a boxing spectacle, it’s going to be a mismatch. It’s a joke.”
Bellew is disappointed to see the WBC heavyweight champion facing Ngannou after being so close to a historic undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
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A deal was agreed for the heavyweight duo to fight on April 29 at Wembley Stadium, but Usyk withdrew from talks at the eleventh hour and accused Fury of making ‘disrespectful demands.’
Despite believing Fury is to blame, Bellew doesn’t agree with Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, who recently called for the WBC to strip their heavyweight titleholder.
“This guy had his bluff called by Oleksandr Usyk who go thrown a bone at 30 per cent [purse split]. Guess what? He bit it. He took it and they still found a way to back out,” he added.
“I think it’s a bit of a joke. Everyone is going on, ‘Tyson Fury should be stripped.’ I don’t believe he should be stripped at all.
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“These freak shows have happened since the start of time and it’s happened throughout the legacy of boxing.”
Ultimately, the former WBC cruiserweight champion hopes Ngannou sticks to boxing rules on fight night, otherwise, he fears Fury could get seriously hurt.
“I just hope both remain healthy because I could see something crazy happening,” Bellew added.
“Francis Ngannou is going to get toyed and played with and nothing would surprise me in this fight.
“If this guy was to just pick him up and slam him on the floor, that genuinely wouldn’t surprise me.”
