The announcement of Tyson Fury facing Francis Ngannou has stirred up plenty of controversy since. More details have emerged and revealed some interesting information regarding the self-styled “The Baddest Man on the Planet” match; Fury will be heading into the match with a rematch clause while Ngannou presumably has only a potential rematch clause in case of a loss.
Francis Ngannou, who has never boxed in the amateurs or professionally, will be the expected underdog on October 28th when he faces Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KO’s), yet the Cameroonian former UFC heavyweight champion has even more hurdles to overcome when he revealed that there was only a rematch clause in place for Tyson Fury.
“Yes, there is a potential rematch clause.” Francis Ngannou confirmed when asked on the inclusion of a rematch clause during an interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour podcast.
Ngannou further verified that there was a rematch clause in place for Tyson Fury if he would lose, however when asked on whether he could earn a rematch if he lost himself, Ngannou seemed doubtful.
“That’s what I don’t know. We will see how it goes.” Ngannou stated cryptically.
His words might suggest he would only get a rematch under the right conditions, such as making it through a specified number of rounds or not getting stopped.
The very inclusion of this rematch clause for Tyson Fury if he ended up losing is an unexpected addition that one would consider unnecessary given the wide disparity in skill and ability between the two fighters. The fact that there only seems to be a potential rematch clause in case Ngannou lost comes across as unnerving news given Fury’s status as active WBC champion with over 30 professional fights while Ngannou will head into his first-ever professional match.
For an active world champion to even include a rematch clause against a 0-0 MMA fighter seems like a transgression of sportsmanship, but to not have one included for his opponent speaks of something else. Tyson Fury, who has boldly proclaimed himself to be “the greatest heavyweight of all time”, has shown a side of himself that has proved otherwise.
After his notorious failed negotiations with Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KO’s), Fury has already been scrutinized for his apparent unwillingness to make the fight, but the rapid sealing of a match with 0-0 MMA fighter Francis Ngannou and the inclusion of rematch clauses for only himself are acts unbecoming of an active world champion.
