Anticipated crossover bout to happen in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh on October 28.
Boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will face Francis Ngannou, one of many prime heavyweight fighters in combined martial arts (MMA), in a bout that shall be contested below skilled boxing guidelines in Saudi Arabia on October 28.
The announcement of the crossover conflict on Tuesday got here after months of hypothesis that intensified following Ngannou’s departure from the Final Combating Championship (UFC), the world’s main MMA promotion.
Fury’s crew mentioned there shall be “three judges ringside adopting the 10-point should system” within the struggle held in Riyadh. Nevertheless, the variety of rounds that the 2 fighters will field was not instantly clear.
The World Boxing Council champion’s final struggle was in December when he stopped British boxer Derek Chisora inside 10 rounds, however talks over an undisputed world title showdown towards Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk fell by means of in March.
Fury, born in Britain to an Irish Traveller household, is called the “Gypsy King” (GK).
“This man is meant to be the toughest puncher on this planet, however let’s see how he reacts when he will get hit by the Huge GK,” Fury mentioned, referring to Ngannou. “I can’t wait to get again on the market below the lights.”
I’ve been prepared the previous 3 years 🙄 https://t.co/AzACbbRPBI
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 11, 2023
Ngannou constructed a popularity as a formidable puncher on his solution to changing into UFC heavyweight champion, a title he held till leaving in January after an acrimonious relationship with the organisation’s President Dana White.
The Cameroonian has received 17 of his 20 skilled UFC fights, with 12 knockouts, however MMA stars together with Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley have beforehand struggled whereas making the transition to the boxing ring.
Ngannou talked a few crossover bout with Fury after the latter beat Dillian Whyte in April final yr.
“I’ve been ready to satisfy Tyson within the ring for the previous three years. My dream was all the time to field, and to field the perfect,” he mentioned.
“After changing into the undisputed MMA heavyweight champion, that is my alternative to make that dream come true and cement my place because the baddest man on the planet.”
The WBC mentioned it could not be concerned within the struggle, with Fury given “particular permission” for a non-title bout as he has no necessary challenger.
