Francis Ngannou to receive a top 10 world ranking
What appeared to be a total mismatch between the unbeaten WBC World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and a former mixed martial artist, who was boxing professionally for the first time, Francis Ngannou, last Saurday night in Riyadh, turned out to be one of the toughest, closely-fought fights of The Gypsy King's entire career.
The former UFC champion turned pro debutant was the one to actually land the most telling blow of the bout as a perfectly timed left hook decked Fury in the third round.
But the Brit got up off the canvas before grinding his way to a highly unconvincing split decision win with two judges giving Fury the fight by scores of 96-93 and 95-94, and the other judge favoured the unheralded Ngannou 95-94.
Following such an impressive pro boxing debut performance, scoring a knockdown and winning on one scorecard prompted the World Boxing Council to consider offering the Cameroonian a well deserved world ranking.
Speaking to Sky Sports straight after last Saturday's fight, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed, "What I personally witnessed last night is a solid boxer, who deserves to be ranked by the WBC and I will make such recommendations to the ratings committee."
WBC Top 10 Heavyweights
1. Deontay Wilder
2. Anthony Joshua
3. Arslanbek Makhmudov
4. Frank Sanchez
5. Andy Ruiz
6. Jared Anderson
7. Efe Ajagba*
8. Dillian Whyte
9. Martin Bakole
10. Joseph Parker
Changes to rankings due in November:
+ Arslanbek Makhmudov (3), Frank Sanchez (4), Martin Bakole (9), Joseph Parker (10)
– Andy Ruiz (5) and Dillian Whyte (8)
As Makhmudov, Parker and Bakole just picked up stoppage wins last weekend in Saudi, their rankings will likely be elevated in position.
Whilst Dillian Whyte hasn't fought since his controversial mixed decision win over Jermaine Franklin in November 2022, and currently the Londoner is without a fight on the horizon due to a positive drugs test in the week of his proposed rematch with Anthony Joshua in August. His position will likely be demoted and could potentially be dropped out of the top 10 altogether this month.
Mexican=American Andy Ruiz Jr. hasn't fought in over 14 months, so his status will certainly decline in the next month's standings.
Wilder's status as No.1 will likely remain even though not fighting in over a year now should see his name dropped down the tables. His long-standing relationship as former champion of the WBC means his position is very secure. It's also hard to see a big name like Anthony Joshua downgraded having only fought and won in August via a stunning KO victory over Robert Helenius.
Speaking to Betway, Michael Bisping praised his MMA compatriot, "If you can do that in your first fight, with the immense pressure of the celebrities flown in from all over the world, the glitz and glamour of the whole event, and immense anxiety that comes with it. Dealing with that separates men from boys and he dealt with it like a champ. He kept his calm and probably beat Fury, he certainly won the war, so yes, he could win a heavyweight title, why not?
"I think every boxing promoter on the planet is going to try and sign him. The rematch with Fury has to happen, there's Wilder, AJ, Ruiz, Whyte, Chisora. Every boxing fans wants to see what he can follow it up with, the encore.
"Ngannou became a sensation overnight, and in my opinion he beat Tyson Fury. He did more damage, he won the story of the fight, he won over the fight community, he looked more poised, balanced, patient, calm and composed. Fury was shocked at the speed of Ngannou. Ngannou didn’t look like the same guy we saw on the pads, maybe that was for the cameras. He was fast, precise and also technical. When Fury switched stances, Ngannou was able to mirror and counter. He technically held his own and landed the better shots. The judge who gave it to Fury by a landslide should never judge again.
"Ngannou proved MMA fighters can hang with boxers and are superior athletes. Jake Paul's been out there baiting the narrative that "MMA fighters can't hang with boxers". Well, maybe those old guys he's fighting can't compete. But a guy in their prime just went in there with the best heavyweight on planet earth and beat him at his own game and would probably do the same to all of the other heavyweights as well.
"I think after what we saw on Saturday night, Ngannou-AJ is a competitive fight and there's a possibility that Ngannou wins. AJ's not as fast as Fury and you can never underestimate Ngannou. We know that he'll have a good go. I think he can have a good-go with anyone. I think he beats anyone on Fury's record; Derek Chisora, Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder, Tom Schwartz, Otto Wallin. He beats all of them for sure.
"If Francis Ngannou fought Deontay Wilder in the Octagon, in mixed martial arts, it would be like taking on a new-born baby. He would pick him up, put him in his pocket, go for a beer, come back, smash him up and do whatever he wants. Ngannou is twice the size and Wilder has stick thin legs. He has freak power but if he's going to come over to MMA, he needs to be light heavyweight or a middleweight. He's just not big enough and he can't wrestle.
"Ngannou has no options in MMA. What options does he have in PFL, none? Francis is going to make a lot of money, but in terms of competition, who is there? Juan Adams, he'd smoke him. Maurice Green, not a competition. I'm not that familiar with these names and I can't think they'll pose much of a threat. In terms of a Jon Jones fight, that ship has sailed forever. It would be an amazing fight but after the injury I don't think it ever happens."
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