Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou are scheduled to face off in a highly anticipated boxing match on October 28. The clash between the former UFC heavyweight champion and the undefeated boxing champion will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While it remains unclear whether the fight will be classified as an exhibition or a professional bout, ESPN was the first to report the date and location of the event. Ngannou confirmed the news on Twitter, expressing his excitement for the upcoming fight.
In a press release, Fury shared his thoughts on the event, stating, “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 eager to prove that the Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation. It’s going to be a legendary fight.”
Ngannou has long desired a crossover fight against a prominent heavyweight boxer, and Fury has always been his preferred opponent. Over the years, “The Predator” and Fury have engaged in banter and even shared the ring together in April 2022 after Fury’s victory over Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium. In January, Fury called out Ngannou for a special rules bout in a cage, wearing four-ounce gloves under boxing regulations.
Ngannou’s interest in boxing played a role in his departure from the UFC, where he held the heavyweight title. The UFC was not supportive of his pursuit of a boxing payday while under contract. Following Ngannou’s signing with the PFL as a free agent, UFC president Dana White actively campaigned for a matchup between Jon Jones, the new UFC heavyweight champion, and Fury. However, the opportunity to face “The Gypsy King” ultimately went to Ngannou.
Ngannou, renowned for his devastating punching power, holds a record of 17-3 in MMA. In March 2021, he claimed the UFC heavyweight title with a brutal knockout of Stipe Miocic and successfully defended it against Ciryl Gane, despite fighting with a torn ACL. Eleven of Ngannou’s 12 UFC victories ended via stoppages, including memorable knockouts against Alistair Overeem, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes (twice), and Junior dos Santos.
Fury, with a boxing record of 33-0-1, is the top-ranked heavyweight in the sport and the current WBC heavyweight champion. He boasts notable wins over Deontay Wilder (twice), Wladimir Klitschko, Whyte, Derek Chisora (three times), and more.
UPDATE
Chairman of Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, stated in an interview with talkSport that the bout between Fury and Ngannou will not be an exhibition fight. However, Warren revealed that Fury’s WBC title will not be at stake, and it remains uncertain whether the match will count towards the official records of either fighter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about boxing match
When and where is the boxing match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou scheduled?
The boxing match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou is set to take place on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Is this match an exhibition or a professional bout?
It is currently unclear whether the fight will be classified as an exhibition or a professional bout.
Will Tyson Fury’s WBC title be on the line?
No, Fury’s WBC title will not be at stake in this match.
Will this fight count towards the official records of either fighter?
The status regarding whether this fight will count towards the official records of either Tyson Fury or Francis Ngannou is currently uncertain.
Who broke the news about the date and location of the fight?
ESPN was the first to report the date and site of the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou boxing match.
More about boxing match
- Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou: Boxing clash set for Oct. 28
- Tyson Fury’s Twitter confirmation
- Francis Ngannou’s Twitter confirmation
- Queensberry Promotions Chairman Frank Warren interview
5 comments
Fury and Ngannou going at it in the ring! This is what dreams are made of. I hope it’s a pro fight and not an exibition, these guys are real fighters, no time for playin around. Gonna be a brawl for sure!
wow tyson fury vs francis ngannou! biggest fight ever! cant wait to see who wins it gonna be so epic fight of the century oct 28 in saudi arabia!
Ngannou finally gets his wish to fight a top boxing heavyweight. UFC’s loss, PFL’s gain. Let’s see if he can bring his knockout power to the boxing world. It’s a shame the WBC title won’t be on the line though.
ESPN always breaking the big news. They’re on top of their game. I’ll be glued to my TV on Oct 28 to witness this clash of titans. Can’t wait to see who comes out on top!
Fury’s trash talk is on point! Can’t wait to see if Ngannou lives up to his reputation as the hardest puncher. Fury thinks he’s the greatest fighter of his generation, gonna be interesting to watch him back it up.