World-renowned boxing trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas has expressed his belief that Francis Ngannou has a chance to create a major upset in his upcoming bout against Tyson Fury. Although Atlas does not predict an upset, he acknowledges that the former UFC heavyweight champion possesses certain advantages that could make the fight challenging for Fury.

In an ESPN opinion piece discussing how he would prepare Ngannou for the matchup, Atlas highlighted Ngannou's experience with an MMA-style clinch as a potential advantage. He emphasized the importance of maintaining distance and avoiding a reckless approach when facing Fury, one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of this generation. Atlas advised Ngannou to work on his footwork, taking steps and not attempting to engage Fury too aggressively from the outset.

Atlas also pointed out the significance of feinting against Fury, stating that Ngannou could use it to create openings and catch his opponent off-guard. By making Fury believe that he is initiating an attack, Ngannou may be able to capitalize on moments when the champion counters too early. If Ngannou can successfully land some offense, Atlas believes he has the potential to shock the world.

Fury is heavily favored to win the upcoming 10-round contest, with odds reaching as high as -1400 in some places. Following the fight, Fury is slated to face Oleksandr Usyk in a highly-anticipated heavyweight championship unification bout. However, a date for that fight has yet to be officially announced.

Some analysts speculate that Fury may underestimate Ngannou, viewing him as an easy opponent. Atlas warns that this mindset could be a recipe for disaster, given Ngannou's immense punching power. The trainer cautions that if Fury approaches the fight as solely a means to secure a big payday with little risk, he could find himself in trouble against Ngannou.

Atlas finds the dynamics of this fight intriguing, particularly with one fighter seemingly not taking it seriously. He believes that mental preparation plays a significant role in any bout and questions whether Fury would be able to adjust if things don't go his way early on. Atlas underscores Ngannou's natural punching ability and the potential danger he poses, emphasizing that if Ngannou connects with a clean shot, Fury could be seriously hurt.

The highly-anticipated Ngannou-Fury showdown is set to take place on Saturday at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fans around the world eagerly await what promises to be an intense and captivating clash between two formidable heavyweight contenders.