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Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury were expected to face off in a rematch given how closesly contested their first bout was. That, however, has not come to fruition yet.
Now, 'The Predator' has revealed to UFC color commentator Joe Rogan why he and 'The Gypsy King' haven't had their second meeting inside the boxing ring.
During a recent appearance on episode #160 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Ngannou touched on his career, including his boxing match with Fury last year, the contract for which had a rematch clause activated if Ngannou survived until the 8th round. Since he did, a rematch seemed like the next logical step.
Unfortunately, the rematch never took place, despite the aforementioned clause, prompting Rogan to ask Ngannou why that was the case. 'The Predator' responded by saying:
"I think it's a timing [issue]. I think it's a matter of timing."
That, however, was not the end of the pair's discussion regarding a rematch between the former UFC heavyweight champion and Fury, as Rogan later asked Ngannou if, after the Fury fight, he was pursuing a rematch or a different boxing match. Ngannou then said:
"The rematch was there. We know we had the rematch, but he was going to fight [Oleksandr] Usyk first. I think that was supposed to happen in December, and he couldn't. He couldn't fight in December, so I wasn't really on something. I was just there, and then I get the offer of Anthony Joshua, then I'm like, 'Let's go.'"
Check out Francis Ngannou revealing why he and Tyson Fury never had a rematch (15:27 and 32:25):
Unfortunately, Ngannou was unsuccessful in both his appearances in the squared circle. While he certainly pocketed significant sums for both bouts, he lost to Fury via split-decision, although many labeled it a robbery. Against Joshua, however, the result was definitie, as 'AJ' knocked Ngannou out cold in the second round.
Francis Ngannou will return to MMA, but doesn't rule out a return to boxing
On the very same JRE episode, Francis Ngannou also revealed that he is MMA-bound, and will face PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira, who is coming off a stunning TKO win over Ryan Bader, in a championship bout at some point in the year. He said:
"I will be fighting by the end of the year. I think Renan Ferreira is the guy."
Check out Francis Ngannou talk about fighting Renan Ferreira (34:40):
Despite that, he later claimed that he is still pursuing boxing matches and isn't ready to give up on his dream of plying his trade in 'The Sweet Science' just yet.
