Khabib Nurmagomedov’s trainer Javier Mendez believes that Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou could be a “trainwreck,” and thinks other boxers would have made better alternatives.
Ahead of his move to PFL after quitting UFC, former heavyweight champion Ngannou will take on Fury on October 28.
The fight, which does not see the WBC title on the line, has divided fans of combat sport, and Mendez is not sure of what to expect.
Speaking to SafeBettingSites, Mendez said: “You want to watch Fury and Ngannou because it's a crossover.
"It could be a trainwreck, crossovers normally are like Mayweather and McGregor, where Mayweather carried him. Mayweather is a perfectionist, he didn't want to take a chance of getting caught, so he made sure Conor was tired, took all his steam from him, and then added the finishing touches.
“But two things Francis has are speed and power. Two equalisers. Francis will be stronger in the early rounds, but in the later rounds I see Fury dismantling him, I really do. He's one of the greatest boxers of all time and how can someone who doesn't box compete with someone in their prime? I'm not saying Ngannou doesn't have a chance, he has a chance, I'm just saying the chances are not great. But the good thing is Ngannou is going to get paid, and people are going to watch it, because there's a potential upset.
“Now if they fought with 4oz MMA gloves then there's a better chance Ngannou wins. Ngannou's best bet is to catch him with that great power that he has early.”
Mendez suggested that Deontay Wilder might have been the best opponent for him, explaining: “The best fight for Ngannou out of AJ, Fury and Wilder would have been Wilder because he's not as technical.
“He's a guy who goes out guns blazing and puts the hammer down, so he's got the best chance of getting caught. Tyson is the most difficult challenge for Francis because he's so smart.”