EXCLUSIVE: Tyson Fury shuts down claims Mike Tyson can help Francis Ngannou beat him despite the MMA star saying his camp is getting ‘very serious’ with Iron Mike

Francis Ngannou says having Mike Tyson in camp is helping him prepare mentally and physically for his fight with Tyson Fury. While the Gypsy King refuses to believe that Iron Mike’s guidance will help the MMA star win.

Ngannou will face Fury in a highly anticipated crossover match that will take place in Saudi Arabia next month as part of Riyadh Season – the annual entertainment and sports festival.

It will be the first time Ngannou has ever competed in a sanctioned boxing fight, but he is confident he can cause an upset against the WBC heavyweight champion with help from Tyson.

Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport, Ngannou said: ‘When Mike Tyson is there you just realize what’s happening. You know you’re arguing and you’re clearly serious about it, but it seems like something is missing.

“You say okay, I have a fight, but what else do I need. Then you have Mike Tyson and he is actually the greatest figure in boxing. It makes me think, oh man, this is serious, very, very serious. It doesn’t get more serious than this.

Ngannou (right) will face Fury (left) in Saudi Arabia on October 28, 2023

The Gypsy King refuses to believe that Iron Mike can coach the MMA star to victory

‘That alone provides a lot of motivation. Even when you’re tired, even when you’re done for the day, I’m still a man. I want to do one more. I guess I just want to be like that man. So all that stuff has already helped me mentally.

‘Then of course there is the technical aspect that he brings. We all know how technical Mike Tyson was, so obviously having his tips and hearing from him is very helpful to me. I won’t have his boxing style, but I can certainly learn a lot from him.’

Ngannou is not the only one who admires Tyson. The Gypsy King is named after Iron Mike, with John Fury explaining how he wanted his son to be named after his boxing idol.

Tyson and Fury first met in 2016. The Gypsy King spoke about their first meeting and claimed Tyson was a great guy before revealing how they opened up to each other about their difficulties.

It’s clear that Fury has enormous respect for the former undisputed champion. But he refuses to believe that Iron Mike’s presence will be enough to help Ngannou win their fight next month.

Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport about Tyson, Fury said: ‘Mike Tyson is a great guy. He is a living legend in the sport. He is a living legend in boxing. He has a lot of knowledge about boxing, I think he will teach Francis a lot.

“But I don’t think it matters who trained Ngannou for this fight. He has to fight Tyson Fury and I’m not an easy opponent for anyone, no matter who you train.

“So yeah, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. That’s exactly what’s going to happen to Ngannou when I fight him. He gets this big plan and then he gets punched in the face and it all goes out the window.”

John Fury (above) named his son Tyson Fury after Mike Tyson because he was his boxing idol

Tyson Fury first met Mike Tyson in 2016 and they opened up about their difficulties

The Gypsy King continued to talk about Tyson coaching the former UFC heavyweight champion for their fight in Saudi Arabia during last week’s official press conference.

Fury joked: ‘It’s actually painful. I’m about to cry my eyes out. If I knew it was personal and not business, I would take it seriously. But this is strictly business. Mike Tyson does work for Francis. He’s a boxing trainer now, fair play to him.

‘For me it’s surreal. Imagine being named after Mike Tyson as a baby. Then that baby becomes world heavyweight champion. Then that heavyweight champion goes and fights someone else and the man you are named after trains that man.”

Despite being on opposite corners for the upcoming fight, Tyson and Fury maintain a strong relationship. Tyson has praised Fury in the past, claiming the Gypsy King will be the heavyweight champion ‘for a long time’.

He previously said: ‘Tyson Fury has proven time and time again that he is the best. Tyson Fury is the champion, the reigning champion and will be for a long time, if he wants to, unless we appoint a new man.

“I always support Tyson Fury because he’s named after me,” Iron Mike said on the Boxing Legend podcast. ‘Isn’t that the most normal thing in the world? I’m biased against him.’

However, since hiring Ngannou, Tyson has been very cautious when it comes to Fury. He claims the heavyweight fight in Saudi Arabia will be ‘much closer’ than people think.

About Ngannou, Tyson said: “He’s had a lot of professional fights, he’s just never seen a professional boxing match. When I worked with him yesterday, he has the talent and I see a good future in his life. It won’t be as one-sided as people think.

We’re going to put him to work and give everything we can for this particular match, because that’s what he’s going to have to do. And I absolutely believe it’s going to be a tougher fight than anyone thinks.”

Tyson Fury believes he is too strong an opponent for Ngannou, despite who coaches him