Tom Aspinall says Tyson Fury asked to help him train for Francis Ngannou, weighs in on boxing match
LONDON – It looks like Tyson Fury could have some UFC presence in his training camp as he gears up to fight Francis Ngannou this fall.
On Thursday, UFC heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall revealed that he’s been in talks with Fury, and depending on how things shake out for him, he could help the boxing heavyweight champion prepare for Ngannou.
“Yeah, I spoke to him,” Aspinall told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC Fight Night 224 media. “He called me the other day and asked if I would help him to train and stuff. We’ll see how it goes, mate. We’ll see how it all goes. I have a busy schedule myself. We’ll be in touch again after my fight is over with.”
Aspinall (12-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) takes on Marcin Tybura (24-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 224 at The O2 in London. It’s his first fight since knee surgery from an injury sustained last July fighting Curtis Blaydes.
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Fury vs. Ngannou is set to go down in Saudi Arabia on Oct. 28 in what is scheduled as a 10-round professional boxing match, but Fury’s WBC title won’t be on the line.
Aspinall won’t rule out a win for Ngannou but sees it highly unlikely he beats Fury, who’s regarded as one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time.
“I think Ngannou has a puncher’s chance, but it’s a very, very, very small puncher’s chance,” Aspinall said. “It’s a very slim chance. As someone who’s sparred Tyson a lot and seen Tyson up close sparring a lot and seeing him fight up close, I think that someone with the inexperience of someone like Francis Ngannou it’s going to be really tough.
“Obviously, he punches like an absolute truck. And if you put Francis Ngannou against anybody and tell him that he’s allowed to punch them, he’s got a chance against anybody. But Tyson Fury is a master at what he does, and it’s going to be a tough night for Ngannou.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.
