In a highly anticipated crossover clash, boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will step into the ring against Francis Ngannou, one of the top heavyweight fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA). The bout, contested under professional boxing rules, is set to take place in Saudi Arabia on October 28.
The announcement of this exciting matchup comes after months of speculation, which intensified following Ngannou’s departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the leading MMA promotion in the world.
Fury’s team revealed that the fight in Riyadh will feature “three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system.” However, the number of rounds that the two fighters will box has not yet been specified.
Tyson Fury, the reigning World Boxing Council champion, last fought in December, securing a victory over British boxer Derek Chisora within 10 rounds. Talks for an undisputed world title showdown against Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk fell through in March, adding to the anticipation for Fury’s next bout.
Fury, also known as the “Gypsy King” (GK), expressed his eagerness to step back into the ring, particularly against Ngannou. “This guy is supposed to be the hardest puncher in the world, but let’s see how he reacts when he gets hit by the Big GK,” Fury commented. “I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights.”
Francis Ngannou, known for his formidable punching power, established himself as a dominant force en route to becoming the UFC heavyweight champion, a title he held until his departure in January following a strained relationship with UFC President Dana White. With 17 wins, including 12 knockouts, in his 20 professional UFC fights, Ngannou aims to prove himself in the boxing ring. Notably, several MMA stars such as Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva, and Tyron Woodley have encountered challenges when transitioning to boxing.
Ngannou expressed his excitement about the matchup with Fury, sharing his long-standing desire to face him in the ring. “I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years. My dream was always to box and to box the best,” Ngannou stated. “After becoming the undisputed MMA heavyweight champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the badest man on the planet.”
The World Boxing Council (WBC) clarified that it would not be involved in the fight, granting Fury “special permission” for a non-title bout as he currently has no mandatory challenger.
The upcoming clash between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou has captured the attention of fight fans worldwide, promising an electrifying encounter as these two renowned athletes from different combat sports test their skills against each other in the ring.
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