Shakur Stevenson has cast doubt on Tyson Fury’s claim of a 12-week training camp leading up to his bout with Francis Ngannou. The crossover match, which pitched the boxing heavyweight against the MMA veteran, surprised many as Fury struggled to secure a split decision win, with scorecards reading 96-93, 95-94 in his favor, and one judge scoring it 95-94 for Ngannou.
Ngannou, making his boxing debut, managed to drop Fury in the third round and maintained a competitive edge throughout the fight. Despite Fury’s insistence that he prepared diligently and didn’t underestimate Ngannou, Stevenson isn’t buying it. He suggests Fury’s performance—marked by hesitation and a lack of his usual punch output—didn’t align with a fighter who had undergone rigorous training.
Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, acknowledged the difficulty of the fight, admitting it was his toughest in years and crediting Ngannou’s awkward and unpredictable style. However, Stevenson, usually a fan of Fury’s, felt the heavyweight champion fell short of the standards he's known for.
Stevenson’s remarks reflect a broader discussion in the boxing community about the seriousness with which boxers approach matches against opponents from different combat sports backgrounds. As Fury reflects on his near-miss with Ngannou, Stevenson’s comments add another layer to the narrative of a fight that has already stirred much debate.
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