Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.
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Few are giving Francis Ngannou a chance in his boxing debut against WBC champion Tyson Fury this Saturday in Saudi Arabia, but Teddy Atlas may get you to think again.
The legendary boxing trainer made a detailed breakdown of the Fury vs. Ngannou matchup and essentially laid out why Ngannou is not fully out of the competition despite being out of his element. Atlas said on Tuesday on his podcast, THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas, that Ngannou could pull off the upset.
“There should be only one winner, the boxer, because he’s been boxing his whole life at a high level,” Atlas said. “So I’m here to say, yeah, it might be one-sided. It might turn out that way, just like the McGregor-Mayweather could’ve turned out that way, but I’m not so sure.”
Below, Atlas breaks down the factors that he believes make the former UFC heavyweight champion a live dog in this boxing match against Fury and what Ngannou can do to enhance his chances:
The first factor may be an obvious one, but a very real one.
Atlas recognizes Ngannou’s power and durability, and that can go a long way where he might have to take a lot of damage, as he looks to put away Fury rather than try to beat him by points.
“It could be lights out for Fury. … [Ngannou] has the power to hurt anyone, including Fury, who has an unbelievable chin, who’s been dropped by the biggest puncher in Wilder a few times, and he’s gotten up. So he’s got a great chin and a great constitution, a great heart does Fury.
“Just great, just great. You have to applaud him for that. But Ngannou has shown stout toughness also when he’s been tested, when he’s been on the floor and being threatened to be submitted and he hasn’t. That shows a resolve right there, that you can keep the devil at the door and not give in to compromising yourself.”
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