WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has announced that he will be taking on MMA star Francis Ngannou in a boxing contest in Saudi Arabia on October 28. The highly anticipated fight will take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with three judges using the 10-point scoring system.
Although Fury’s WBC title will not be at stake in this exhibition match, the bout promises to be an exciting clash between two formidable fighters. Fury’s last fight was in December when he defeated Derek Chisora, while talks for an undisputed world heavyweight title showdown with Oleksandr Usyk fell through earlier this year.
Fury expressed his anticipation for the fight, stating, “As soon as that bell goes, it’ll be bombs away. 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 [Gypsy King]. I’m looking forward to showing the world that the Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation in an epic battle with another master of his craft.”
Ngannou, known as the UFC’s first African heavyweight champion, will be making his professional boxing debut. With a record of 17-3 in MMA, including 12 knockouts, Ngannou is eager to prove himself in the world of boxing. He defended his UFC heavyweight title in 2022 with a unanimous decision victory over Ciryl Gane.
The WBC has confirmed that it will not be involved in the fight, granting Fury special permission for a non-title bout as he currently has no mandatory challenger. Meanwhile, Usyk, who holds the WBA, IBF, and WBO crowns, will defend his titles against Fury’s promotional stablemate Daniel Dubois next month.
The Fury vs. Ngannou fight is expected to captivate audiences in the Middle East, showcasing the talents of these two renowned fighters in a historic boxing event.