Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou are set to go head-to-head in a boxing match, according to an ESPN report. The former UFC heavyweight champion and the WBC champion are expected to fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 28th.
Fury’s team have said that this fight is not an exhibition and will “take place under official rules of professional boxing.” Fury will not be defending his title against Ngannou in this bout.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou – A Coveted Fight For Years
Both men have built up this crossover fight over a long period of time, and it is now seemingly on the horizon. It was no secret that Ngannou wanted to box after leaving the UFC, and it now looks as if he has locked down a super-fight with one of boxing’s biggest stars in Tyson Fury.
Back in April of 2022, Ngannou made an appearance in the ring alongside Fury after ‘The Gypsy King’ defeated Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium. At the time, Fury said: “He’s on my hit list in an exhibition fight. In a cage, in a boxing ring, boxing gloves, UFC gloves, we can make it happen.”
How Did We Get Here?
Ngannou fought his last fight in the UFC in January of 2022, beating Ciryl Gane to retain the heavyweight title. ‘The Predator’ and the UFC could not reach terms on a contract extension as the promotion did not support the idea of Ngannou boxing while still a UFC fighter.
He went on to sign a deal with the PFL in May, which allowed him to pursue his boxing dreams. Ngannou will now receive the big payday he has been looking for.
Fury was in talks with Oleksandr Usyk over an undisputed heavyweight championship bout, but negotiations broke down.
“This guy is supposed to be the hardest puncher in the world,” said Fury about Ngannou. “Let’s see how he reacts when he gets hit by the big GK.”
Ngannou said: “I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years. He better dance in that ring because if I touch him, he’s going to sleep.”
Fury may draw criticism from the boxing world for this decision, but this fight cannot be ignored.
