Tony Ferguson Triumphs in Boxing Debut at Misfits Boxing 22
On Saturday, August 31, former UFC interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson, emerged victorious in his boxing premiere at Misfits Boxing 22, located in Manchester, England. His opponent, Salt Papi, was overcome in the third round, completing Ferguson’s transition from an MMA career. The triumphant outcome at 2:43 of round three in the co-main event marked a redeeming beginning for Ferguson, who had lost his previous eight MMA contests.
His impressive inaugural performance not only marked a victorious debut but also secured Tony Ferguson the Misfits Boxing Pro interim middleweight title, which is quite an accomplishment in his first professional boxing bout. Tony Ferguson’s decision to step into the boxing universe had evoked skepticism among many. The Californian, aged 40, had faced a losing streak of eight bouts in UFC, leading many to believe that he should quit combat sports.
However, instead of succumbing to the pressure, he chose a novel route and agreed to face off against British-Filipino YouTuber and professional boxer named Salt Papi, who goes by his real name, Nathaniel Bustamante, in the ring. In the initial stages of the contest, Salt Papi demonstrated superior skill. His clean strikes and superior tactical legwork were evident, making him the stronger contender.
Yet, Tony Ferguson remained undeterred, maintaining his position in front of his adversary while continuously applying pressure. The whole narrative of the contest took a turn in the third round. Salt Papi found himself being pushed against the ropes as Ferguson unleashed an unrelenting barrage of blows.
This barrage managed to penetrate Salt Papi’s defenses, leaving him staggering and struggling to retaliate. Observing this, the referee stepped in to call off the contest in favor of Tony Ferguson instead of proceeding with a standing eight count. This decisive moment cemented Ferguson’s first victory, thereby offering him a refreshing resurgence in combat sports.
With this victory, Tony Ferguson etched his official record in boxing at 1-0, also marking his first knockout. The thrill, however, didn’t cease with Ferguson’s win. Immediately following the bout at AO Arena in Manchester, Dillon Danis entered the boxing ring causing a stir of anticipation.
Earlier the same night, Danis had defeated Warren Spencer in an MMA fight. Now, standing before Ferguson, Danis hinted at an appealing prospect of a face-off between the two combatants. The looming question remains whether the two would square off under the banner of boxing or resort back to MMA.
Addressing the crowd from the ring, Danis affirmed his interest and declared, ‘It’s me and him.’ while gesturing towards Ferguson, sparking curiosity and excitement amongst the spectators. As for Tony Ferguson, this triumphant event marks a joyous return to the winner’s roster after a persistent losing streak in UFC.
His boxing debut not only yielded him the championship belt but also carved out a new trajectory for his future in combat sports. Whether his next match-up will be against Dillon Danis or another opponent, one point remains unambiguous. Tony Ferguson has demonstrated that he continues to possess the fighting spirit.