Tyson Fury to Face Francis Ngannou in Epic Boxing Match in Riyadh
Lineal heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury is set to take on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a highly anticipated boxing match on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made by Top Rank on Tuesday, and fans are eagerly awaiting this clash of titans.
The bout will be conducted under the official rules of professional boxing, with three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system. However, it is still unclear how many rounds the match will consist of or whether Fury’s WBC belt will be on the line.
Tyson Fury, with a record of 33-0-1 and 24 knockouts, became a unified titleholder in November 2015 after defeating longtime champion Wladimir Klitschko. Since then, the 34-year-old has emerged victorious against top contenders such as Deontay Wilder (twice), Dillian Whyte, and Derek Chisora.
On the other hand, Francis Ngannou, with a record of 17-3 and 12 knockouts, is currently a heavyweight fighter with the Professional Fighter’s League. He held the UFC heavyweight championship from 2021 to 2023. Ngannou is known as one of the biggest knockout artists in UFC history, with notable victories over Stipe Miocic, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, and more.
The matchup between Fury and Ngannou has sparked excitement among fans who have long debated who the “baddest man on the planet” truly is. Fury is widely regarded as one of the best heavyweight boxers in the world, while Ngannou holds that title on the MMA side. This fight presents an opportunity to settle the debate once and for all.
Apart from the sporting aspect, the fight is also driven by financial incentives. This crossover event is expected to generate substantial earnings for both fighters, particularly Ngannou, who previously earned a purse of $600,000 in his last fight against Ciryl Gane. In comparison, Fury reportedly made over $20 million in his most recent bout against Derek Chisora.
One question that arises is how Ngannou is allowed to compete in a boxing match as an MMA fighter. If he were still with the UFC, such a venture would not be possible. Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC for the PFL in May allowed him the flexibility to pursue boxing alongside MMA. This move has paid off, as he now has the chance to showcase his skills in the boxing ring and earn a handsome paycheck before returning to the cage.
When it comes to assessing the fighters’ strengths, Ngannou’s incredible power is a significant factor. His ability to deliver devastating knockouts, as seen in his victory over Alistair Overeem, makes him a formidable opponent. However, Fury has proven his mettle against powerful punchers like Deontay Wilder and emerged victorious in both encounters. With his technical skills and overall advantage in various aspects of the fight, Fury is expected to dominate the match. Some even draw comparisons to Floyd Mayweather’s bout with Conor McGregor in 2017, where Mayweather toyed with McGregor before securing a victory.
Both fighters have expressed their excitement for the upcoming match. Fury is eager to demonstrate that he is the greatest fighter of his generation, while Ngannou sees this as an opportunity to cement his position as the baddest man on the planet.
Bob Arum, founder of Top Rank, is thrilled about this historic event and believes that Fury’s clash with an MMA legend like Ngannou will be a treat for fight fans worldwide. The people of Riyadh can anticipate a tremendous fight that will go down in history.
As fight night approaches, fans are eagerly counting down the days until Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou step into the ring in Riyadh. This epic battle between two exceptional fighters promises to be a spectacle that will captivate audiences and determine who truly deserves the title of the baddest man on the planet.