Francis Ngannou may call upon Mike Tyson to help him prepare for his blockbuster fight with Anthony Joshua – just like he did for his impressive professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury.
Ngannou nearly pulled off the biggest shock in boxing history when he suffered a narrow defeat to Fury, despite dropping the WBC heavyweight champion in the third round.
The MMA icon’s exhibition against Fury was originally seen as nothing more than a money-grab opportunity for both fighters in Saudi Arabia.
But Ngannou’s performance has made the heavyweight division stand up and take notice with the ex-UFC fighter now contracted to the Professional Fighters League.
Joshua, who is looking to rebuild his reputation and regain his heavyweight belts, has accepted terms to fight Ngannou next with the bout taking place in Saudi Arabia on March 8.
And Dewey Cooper, who helped coach Ngannou for his fight against Fury, has revealed the duo could call upon Tyson once again to help best prepare him for the Joshua bout.
He told talkSPORT: “Four years ago, Francis went on Mike Tyson’s podcast, and Francis was talking about fighting Tyson Fury and people like that way back then.
“He made an agreement with Mike Tyson that if he did a boxing fight Mike would have to work his corner because Mike Tyson was so influential in Francis wanting to take this journey.
“Mike had to be a part of it. He trained Francis when he could.
“He had a very busy schedule. He and I are good friends, so whenever he came in, he took over. It’s Mike Tyson!”
He added: “Whatever way Francis wants Mike Tyson to be involved he will be.
“I love Mike, we go back way before any of this Francis Ngannou–UFC stuff was happening anyway.
“So, I hope he will come through like he did last time and keep implementing his mentality and technique.
“I’m sure he will, but either way, [Ngannou] is going to be prepared and ready to go against Anthony Joshua.”
Some have been surprised at Joshua taking the fight given the risks involved as a loss to Ngannou will all but wreck any chances he has of regaining his heavyweight belts.
Speaking at Monday night’s press conference officially announcing the fight, the 34-year-old promised an “explosive” contest.
He said: “Every fight leads to somewhere, so this fight is my everything and we will see where it leads me.
“My main focus is Ngannou and getting through an intense training camp.
“I have got to take his mind and his spirit, it will be explosive. We can both trade and it will be a good fight.”
