Tyson Fury could have been fooled by Francis Ngannou earlier than their boxing match. In October, the 37-year-old swapped the UFC cage for the boxing ring when he made his debut towards none aside from the WBC Heavyweight champion.

The Cameroon fighter exceeded expectations and pushed ‘The Gypsy King’ to his limi, even knocking him to the canvas within the third spherical. He was extremely aggressive all through the 10-round encounter and only beaten via split decision, which some fans felt was the wrong call.

It is feasible Fury and his workforce went into the battle not anticipating a lot from Ngannou, if his exercise posted to social media was something to go by. Footage emerged of the previous UFC Heavyweight Champion getting some reps in on the pads with new coach Mike Tyson watching on.

He appeared considerably lacklustre and a few of boxing’s greatest names voiced their displeasure with Ngannou’s show. Former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch added: "Fury's not going to be worried about getting hit by that monstrous punch, because I've seen Ngannou on the pads and he looks terrible.

"He seems like what I'd anticipate a zero-fight novice to seem like; sluggish, awkward, stiff - how is he going to get close to Fury? He's going to get his head completely peppered off.” Fury’s dad, John, agreed and commented: "I've seen the open workout, I hope he's kidding along and he's playing possum here. I hope that's a joke and intended to be a laugh.

"Because if it isn't, he ain't received a prayer, he ain't received a cat in hell's probability. He will not get out the primary spherical, it is most likely gonna be Tyson's quickest knockout. If that is what he is received, God assist him, he'll get smashed to bits. That's embarrassing. If that is what he can do on a public exercise, do not hassle. It's a shame."

For those who thought Ngannou would be overwhelmed by Fury, or perhaps believed his inexperience would get the best of him, he proved his doubters wrong with his power and poise in an impressive boxing debut. Now the combat star will fight another big name as he steps into the ring with Anthony Joshua on March 8.

Unlike the build-up with Fury, there was an absence of trash speak of Joshua, and Ngannou explains why any nerves proven by the Brit might work in his favour. “Anthony Joshua never trash talks, his personality is more serious unlike Tyson Fury who is more like a playboy,” Ngannou mentioned.

“I think when it comes to fighting, they both know how to fight and that’s what I’m focused on. He might have been nervous but that doesn’t mean anything, in fact I think being nervous means he is taking things very seriously. It’s very important because he’s going to do his best to show up on the day with everything.”