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WBC Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is set to take on former UFC title holder Francis Ngannou in a professional boxing contest later this year.
As per reports from ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, and renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, the fight is expected to take place on October 28, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“It’s going to be a fight for the ages”, Fury tells talkSPORT’s Michael Benson.
Here’s everything we know about Fury vs. Ngannou so far.
The lead-up
A bout between these two has been rumoured for a number of months, with different types of matchups being teased by the pair. These ranged from hybrid exhibitions with mixed rules to a two-fight contract: one in a ring, one in an octagon.
Tensions and possibilities first heightened over a year ago, as Ngannou stepped in the ring following Fury’s knockout victory over Dillian Whyte in April 2022. The Cameroonian was under contract with Dana White’s UFC at the time, but revelations have since seen him leave the promotion for rivals PFL after failing to come to any contractual agreements.
Fury has previously worked with boxing promotion Top Rank, as well as Queensbury Promotions, both of which produce fight cards often shown on ESPN+, the same channel as PFL.
The fight
Fans and journalists alike are still predominantly in the dark in terms of any official news about the fight, other than it is happening.
Fury has held the WBC Heavyweight belt since overcoming long-time rival Deontay Wilder back in 2020, with his last defence coming in a heavily-criticised trilogy fight against Derek Chisora last December. Many in the boxing community expected the 34-year-old to take on the WBO, WBA and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed heavyweight fight, however, negotiations for that fight hit a standstill.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman is yet to respond to questioning regarding the status of the WBC belt in Fury vs. Ngannou, but it is expected the title will not be on the line.
Queensbury Promotions owner Frank Warren, who has long been associated with the Fury family, just announced the fight will not be an exhibition bout, however he is “unsure whether it will count towards their official boxing records.”
Frank Warren has stated that Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou on Oct 28th in Saudi Arabia is NOT an exhibition bout, but said he's unsure whether it will count on their official boxing records. He added that Fury's WBC heavyweight world title is not on the line. [@talkSPORT]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) July 11, 2023
What’s been said?
Fury vs. Ngannou will undoubtedly be one of the most-viewed boxing fights of the year. The duo’s scale and popularity within combat sports will draw eyes from all around the world, and it will certainly be the biggest boxing/MMA matchup since Floyd Mayweather Jr. took on Conor McGregor back in 2017.
Warren has stated:
“This has ‘war’ written all over it. It is a game-changer. Here we are in a super-fight. Tyson is at his best when he is breaking new boundaries and this event is one of a kind. History will be made in Riyadh.”
Although this fight will come with its controversy, Fury seems to be looking forward to the bout.
‘The Gypsy King’ discussed 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 big GK. I’m looking forward to showing that the Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation.
“It’s gonna be a fight for the ages.”
One of the fight’s biggest criticisers so far is Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas, who took to Twitter to display his annoyances as Fury’s choice of opponent:
The biggest joke ever in boxing!!! I am sorry it’s not boxing it’s circus @Tyson_Fury becoming from positive person in boxing to negative joker in circus https://t.co/VYeOwxq0dt
— Egis Klimas (@KlimasBoxing) July 11, 2023
Ngannou is yet to release any quotes on the matter, although he took to social media to release a trailer and announcement of the upcoming fight.
Never doubt a man with hope and faith.#FuryNgannou | 10.28.2023 | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/44pfCQgGgq
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 11, 2023
Date and Location
As previously mentioned, Fury vs. Ngannou will take place on October 28, 2023. As of now, no official times have been announced, although the European crowd will certainly be happier with an earlier start time compared to cards in the US.
The bout will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Fury has previously competed within the WWE.
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