Francis Ngannou ranking

Especially when we remember that Fury refused to fight anyone from the WBC top #15.

Maybe, just maybe, Team Fury knew he was shot to bits. It's one thing risking the Undisputed cash out against debutant Ngannou for a massive wedge. It's another taking a beating off Makhmudov for considerably less.

 

Since when does a UFC heavyweight champion take a boxing heavyweight champion to the brink?

What's the solution to this situation? Considering the finance and publicity and all of that.

 

The solution is that Ngannou beats a couple of fringe contenders before being given that sort of ranking. It’s not like there will be any shortage of contenders lining up to take him on given the payday involved.

Like anybody Ngannou needs to prove himself. Regardless of his performance against Fury, Ngannou is still 0-1. That is his record.

And Fury was nowhere near his best in that fight. You could literally see his physical conditioning was substandard.

 

When you're talking about a former undisputed champ from the division below, who's beaten the most proven (best resume) fighter in the division, twice, and who as a result holds 3/4 of belts at the weight - it's not so strange at all.

 

Before Fury returned, there could be absolutely no debate at all.

Now... There's an argument for Fury, but it depends how you value the fights Wlad had with each and how highly you rate the Wilder trilogy vs having beaten Pov, Parker etc.

 

On the other hand...

Fury stunk the place out against a Wlad who didn't look particularly interested or well prepared - a good win, but perhaps an overrated one.

Joshua fought a much more motivated and aggressive Wlad, and beat him decisively.


Then you have ending Wilder's title reign... Which yes, was long, but objectively lacking in quality - with AJ having beaten more than one fighter that Wilder ducked and wanted no part of.


Okay, between us we've laid out the two ways you can argue this without being unreasonable... And there's merit in both sets of arguments, depending on how you want to view things.

In any case, the main point I was making in the post you took issue with was the idea that Usyk hasn't done anything significant to deserve to be in a potential undisputed fight - and that idea is patently ridiculous whether you rate AJ as having had the best of the second best resume in the division.

 

Considered by many to have beat the lineal HW champion if not for some shady judging. You can't leave out the context.

 

"Like anybody Ngannou needs to prove himself. Regardless of his performance against Fury, Ngannou is still 0-1. That is his record."

Normally I'd 100% agree with that but considering the uniqueness of the situation and Ngannou's age, the window of opportunity to potentially make financially lucrative and interesting fights is slim.

 

he should be higher then 10

 

So because he decided late in his career to try his hand at boxing he should be given a leg up?

I get what you are saying from a financial perspective but as a purist this just leaves me cold. Nothing against Ngannou but I cannot wait for the day somebody knocks him out so we can end this farce.

 

I actually think this is why Ngannou has been ranked top 10, and we are getting Joshua v Wallin and Wilder v Parker.

Fury's abysmal showing against Ngannou, and to a lesser extent the images of Usyk on his arse against Dubois will have resonated with the casual viewership and potentially reduces sales.

So how do you put a band aid on that?
First you need to tell casual viewers that Ngannou is legitimate threat in Heavyweight boxing. He's not, but a casual audience will see #WBC #10 and accept it.

Then you need to establish with the audience why Usyk v Fury is actually #1 v #2. How do you do that?

Well you need to put their best wins in interesting but winnable fights. Not only does a win for Wilder and a win for Joshua build their own head to head, but it's something the promoters of Undisputed can point to.

Wilder v Joshua doesn't do that. Because let's just say for a moment if Wilder demolishes Joshua. Then that reflects badly on Usyk, further devaluing undisputed, and vice versa should Joshua win.

Basically Fury, really, really ****ed up. And everyone knows it. The Saudis, the big promoters, and the orgs, are now forced to desperately cover their asses.

 

If it was happening all of the time I wouldn't like it, considering this situation is so rare that it's never happened before I don't have a problem with it. I look at it as more potential excitement injected in to the division.

 

Weird choice.