Tyson Fury will finally return to the ring this weekend when he faces former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in a historic crossover bout in Saudi Arabia.
The Gypsy King has teased a showdown with the MMA legend since the boxing world heavyweight champion knocked out Dillian Whyte to retain his WBC belt in April 2022.
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The clash has drawn a fair amount of criticism from fans who wanted Fury to take on Oleksandr Usyk.
However, negotiations for that fight broke down as did a potential Battle of Britain meeting with heavyweight rival Anthony Joshua.
Fury will instead square off with former UFC heavyweight superstar Ngannou under professional boxing rules in a bout being billed as the ‘Battle Of The Baddest’.
‘The Predator’ is making his first outing inside a boxing ring since his release from Dana White’s company in January.
The contest will be fought over 10 rounds and will count as an official bout, but Fury’s world title will not be on the line.
However, the winner of the bout will walk away with the WBC’s new ‘Commemorative Riyadh Championship’ belt.
Fury is then finally set to face Usyk in Saudi Arabia later this winter to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.
Fury vs Ngannou: Date and how to follow
This 10-round crossover clash will take place on Saturday, October 28 and is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The undercard will get going from 6pm while the ring-walks for the main event can be expected at 10:45pm UK time.
The event will be broadcast live on TNT Sports Box Office – the new name for BT Sport – and will cost £21.95. More details here.
ESPN+ is showing it in the USA and the PPV price has been announced as $79.99.
talkSPORT will have updates throughout fight week and talkSPORT.com will be running a live blog of all the action on fight night as well.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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Fury vs Ngannou: Undercard
Fabio Wardley vs David Adeleye will headline the undercard action in Riyadh.
Elsewhere, former WBO champion Joseph Parker is back in action as battles 34-year-old Canadian Simon Kean.
The so-called ‘future of heavyweight boxing’ Moses Itauma will also take to the ring to meet Istvan Bernath.
And veteran Carlos Takam will take on Martin Bakole.
Subject to change
- MAIN EVENT: Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou
- Fabio Wardley vs David Adeleye
- Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean
- Carlos Takam vs Martin Bakole
- Arslanbek Makhmudov v Junior Anthony Wright
- Moses Itauma vs Istvan Bernath
- Jack McGann v Alcibiade Duran Galvan
Fury vs Ngannou: Tale of the tape
Tyson Fury – Francis Ngannou
Nickname: The Gypsy King – The Predator
Hometown: Manchester, England – Batie, Cameroon
Pre-fight record: 33–0–1 (24 KO) – 0–0-0 (Boxing) 17–3 (12 KO) (MMA)
Age: 35 – 37
Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) – 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight: 125.9kg
Reach: 85 in (216 cm) – 83 in (211 cm)
Recognition: WBC and lineal heavyweight champion – Former UFC heavyweight champion
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Fury vs Ngannou: What has been said?
Fury: “If I lose to an MMA guy I’ll never be able to show my face in public again. It’s going to ridicule me, people will chuck it at me forever.
“If I get knocked out, then I want you all to laugh at me. That’s what I want, because I deserve it.
“Francis is stepping up to the plate. And I think he’s going to be a bit of a bigger, tougher challenge than these other guys.
“These other guys are just boxers, this guy’s more than that.”
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Ngannou: “I have had these dreams since I was a kid to become a boxer.
“It’s not just that I’m going to box, but I am going to box the guy on the mountain.
“Nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen. But what I do know for sure is I am going to be out there hunting for this guy’s head, to take it off.
“What will happen at the moment that guy hits the floor and doesn’t stand up?
“Will I be the best boxer in the world? If you take out the No 1, you are the No 1? I think so.”
Fury vs Ngannou: Betting Odds
Tyson Fury – 1/20
Draw – 40/1
Francis Ngannou – 8/1
*Odds Correct as of 27//10/2023 14:00
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