Francis Ngannou could fight Derek Chisora next to show he is a legitimate threat

In his latest column, the former Olympian and heavyweight contender gives his verdict on Tyson Fury’s controversial win over Francis Ngannou and gives the latest on talks for his fight against British champion Fabio Wardley.

Fury was a terrible version of himself in Saudi

While he didn’t get the win, Francis Ngannou shocked the world against Tyson Fury. He has got a lot of praise for his performance and rightfully so.

But it is too early to have him talked about as a legitimate threat at the top of heavyweight boxing. You can’t do that over one fight, definitely not.

He had a great performance, Fury had a very bad performance but we need to see more from Ngannou before we start deciding whether we can label him a legitimate heavyweight contender in boxing. He did fantastic in there but I do feel like Fury was a terrible version of himself.

There have been lots of reasons put forward for why Fury performed so badly. Out there in Saudi, it wasn’t a normal show. There was so much going on. It was like nothing I have seen before in terms of media obligations, the environment was almost too nice at times to properly prepare for a fight.

But ultimately, he let himself down a bit and should have done better against a man making his boxing debut. Fury felt he could get him out of there but just didn’t get around to it. Everyone is a little bit different in terms of their approach but on this occasion, Fury thought he had it in the bag before he got in the ring.

Joshua and Wilder both eager for Ngannou next

As for what is next for Ngannou in the boxing ring, he will only be interested in the biggest fights. If it is to be against another professional boxer it will have to be someone with a big profile.

Eddie Hearn is desperate to make the Anthony Joshua fight and I think Deontay Wilder’s team would be too. Bring either of those fights to Africa – they will feel they can get that. Both AJ and Wilder will have learned lessons watching what happened on Saturday night, I believe. Both of them would look to go and do a job on him and take him out as quickly as possible.

Chisora a compelling option

If those fights don’t happen, Derek Chisora could be a definite option if he is looking to push on in his boxing career. We know how dangerous Derek can be and is still a very popular fighter, but he hasn’t been great recently.

There were three losses on the bounce before he got the decision win over Kubrat Pulev. He lost to Fury and came back last August against Gerald Washington and got the win in a close fight. Someone like Martin Bakole, who impressed on last weekend’s undercard, is still on the up, whereas someone like Chisora, is going in the other direction. But he has the personality to make the fight a big one, he could go anywhere in the world and light it up.

Path now cleared for me and Fabio Wardley

After Fabio Wardley took care of business against David Adeleye, the path is clear for me and him to meet in an epic British heavyweight title fight.

I hate to keep talking about the last time the fight was meant to happen but this time it feels a lot more positive, everyone seems to be on side this time. Fabio clearly wants it too so everything is moving in the right direction. We know how this sport works, you have to wait until everything is over the line but we are getting there.

Negotiations are at a good stage. There is a lot being talked about, the next stage will be venue and date. But for me and Fabio, it is a rivalry based on competitiveness, there is no ill feeling there.

I had a conversation with him last night, he is going on his holidays after a long camp so we’ll be looking at the New Year and beyond. With me also coming off the back of an injury, it makes sense. We could potentially get the New Year off to a flying start.

Fabio boxed very well against David Adeleye on Saudi on Saturday night, but there are a few things in there I can definitely exploit.

You can only really test yourself against the man you are in there against and I don’t really think David Adeleye offered Fabio much to think about. He did his job and what was expected to him.

I am not discrediting their fight, but me versus Fabio back in the UK has a different feel to it. We are talking about the two best of the British bunch.

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