Ngannou surprised the world, stunning WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and nearly causing a major upset at ‘Battle of the Baddest’ in October.
Before the fight, Mike Tyson joined Ngannou’s camp, aiding the Cameroonian KO artist to a controversial split decision against Fury.
Dewey Cooper, Ngannou’s striking coach, shares insights on Tyson’s involvement and its main gym benefit.
Cooper:
“Mike used to come to my fights, so we’ve been friends for a long time.”
“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!
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“I think the main factor he played, besides the great training and instructions, was the motivation of Francis.
When Mike Tyson came to the gym, Francis lit up like a kid on Christmas morning about to open his gifts.”
Ngannou’s performance against Fury earned him another mega-fight against former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua, who he will face in Saudi Arabia on March 8.
Cooper expects Tyson to join their camp again and says he is happy to have ‘Iron Mike’ play as big a role as Ngannou wants him to over the next couple of months.
He continues:
“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.”
