Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou is Official

787 days ago

It’s official, Boxing’s WBC Heavyweight Champion- Tyson Fury will go toe to toe with former UFC Heavyweight Champion- Francis Ngannou under Boxing rules, first reported by ESPN’s Mike Coppinger.

UNDISPUTED LINEAL CHAMP vs UNDISPUTED LINEAL CHAMP! LFG

[ via TW//@MikeCoppinger | 📸 via @espn ] pic.twitter.com/XIXAf8k0SB

— PFL (@PFLMMA) July 11, 2023

Ngannou vs. Fury in the Squared Circle

Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou will take place “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,”… pic.twitter.com/VJkIiZJvZb

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 11, 2023

The bout is set to take place on October 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Details on the bout are uncertain at the moment, but we do know that the bout will take place in a regulation boxing ring under boxing rules, including three ringside judges using the ten-point must-scoring system. It’s not known whether it will be a professional or exhibition bout, if it’ll be for Fury’s WBC title or not, and what the official number of rounds will be.

Just to be crystal clear, I asked a source close to the event about the Tyson Fury x Francis Ngannou fight:

Rules?

“Boxing rules, they can knock the f*ck out of each other.”

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 11, 2023

Both fighters have made statements on the bout, Fury said, “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.” Ngannou said, “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.”

Never doubt a man with hope and faith.#FuryNgannou | 10.28.2023 | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/44pfCQgGgq

— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 11, 2023

Fury last fought in December 2022, defeating Derek Chisora via. TKO in the 10th round. Prior to that, Fury defeated Dillian Whyte via. TKO in the sixth round in April 2022. Following the win, both Fury and Ngannou teased a potential bout by exchanging some words in the ring and facing off.

For Ngannou on the other hand, “The Predator” has not competed since UFC 270 in January 2022. Ngannou defeated Ciryl Gane via. Unanimous Decision to successfully defend his UFC Heavyweight title. Fast forward a year later in January 2023 and Dana White announced the release of Ngannou from the UFC promotion, “We’re going to release him (Francis) from his contract, we’re going to give up our right to match, we’re going to let him go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants.” In May, Ngannou signed a non-exclusive deal with the PFL that would allow him to explore and possibly compete in Boxing bouts outside of the PFL, for full details, read here. After much skepticism about Ngannou’s contract disputes with the UFC and criticism of Ngannou, it seems Ngannou has undoubtedly made the most of his opportunities after landing the blockbuster bout with Tyson Fury.

Austin Marr

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Austin Marr was introduced to the sport of MMA when his father enrolled him in Billy Scott's MMA & Catch Wrestling classes when he was eleven years old. Since then, Austin's passion for MMA and sports, in general, continues to grow.

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