The fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou is a done deal.
As reported by Mike Coppinger of ESPN, Fury will face Ngannou in a boxing match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 28. Coppinger noted that WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman didn't respond when asked whether Fury's WBC heavyweight title will be on the line. As of this writing, the rules and number of rounds are unclear.
As reported last week, Tyson Fury x Francis Ngannou is a done deal.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 11, 2023
And this morning, it was officially announced.
Oct. 28.
Saudi Arabia.
Boxing match.
More details to come. But it’s all signed, sealed and completed.
Per Ariel Helwani, the match will be contested "under the official rules of professional boxing, with 3 judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system. Both fighters however are promising to meet in the middle of the ring, go to war and win by knockout in devastating fashion,", and it will take place in a regulation boxing ring under standard boxing rules.
In a release, as noted by Coppinger, both Fury and Ngannou commented on the fight.
"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. I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights. 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. Francis looked tough when he jumped in the ring after the Whyte fight, but there is no one tougher than me, and you’ll all see that in devastating fashion on Oct. 28," Fury said.
Ngannou noted that he has been waiting for three years to face Fury, and boxing has always been his dream. He made it clear that he wants to cement his status as the baddest man on the planet. The former UFC fighter also vowed to put Fury to sleep if he touches him during the match.
"I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years. My dream was always to box, and to box the best. After becoming the undisputed MMA Heavyweight Champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet. I’d like to thank Riyadh Season and my team at 3Point0 Labs for helping put this event together. All I will say to Tyson for now is he better dance in that ring because if I touch him, he’s going to sleep," Ngannou said.
Fury and Ngannou, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, teased a clash after Fury defeated Dillian Whyte in April 2022. At the time, Fury noted that he'd be open to facing Ngannou in a cage or in a boxing ring.
In December 2022, Fury defeated Derek Chisora. He had been in talks for a match with Oleksandr Usyk, but the two sides didn't reach a deal.
Ngannou has not competed since he defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. He and UFC parted ways when they couldn't agree on a new contract. The former champion had surgery to repair his MCL and ACL in March, and he made it clear that he wanted to do at least one boxing match.
Tyson Fury previously commented on potentially returning to WWE. More information is available here.
