Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.
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Francis Ngannou wants a rematch with Tyson Fury no matter what.
Ngannou (0-1) is scheduled to face Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) in a 10-round boxing match on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Fury will face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed championship on February 17, also in Riyadh.
Ngannou floored Fury and pushed him to the limit in a close decision loss last October. He is eager to turn things around with “The Gypsy King” regardless of the outcome of his upcoming fight.
“I’m not looking for the winner of Tyson Fury [and Usyk]“Ngannou told TMZ. “I’m looking for Tyson. Tyson owes me a fight. I don’t give anything about the winner of Usyk and Tyson. I’m going after Tyson. “Win or lose, I love Tyson.”
Ngannou plans to further improve his game for Joshua after his impressive performance against Fury. He recognizes that the element of surprise no longer works in his favor.
“He’s already seen me box, so he knows a little bit what’s coming,” Ngannou said. “…Unlike Tyson Fury, that was out of the blue, he didn’t know what to expect. Joshua knows what to expect. I think this time I need to try even harder to get the job done.”
According to FanDuel, Ngannou is a +500 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on the former UFC heavyweight champion would win $500. Joshua is a -700 favorite, meaning it would take a $700 bet to make a $100 profit.
Ngannou thinks it makes sense that he’s a big loser.
“I’m going up against a former champion, a guy who’s been in the game for so long, winning and all that,” Ngannou said. I think he’s 30-something and I’m 0-1. Come on man. How can you make me a favorite?
