Boxing champ Fury, MMA star Ngannou to fight in Saudi Arabia

Heavyweights square off Oct. 28 in a boxing match, though it is unclear if it will be an official bout or not

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The press release arrived with the screaming headline that read “Who is the baddest man on the planet?”

Organizers apparently believe that question will be answered when lineal/WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou — the two best big men in their respective sports — square off in a boxing match on Oct. 28 at an unidentified venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, organizers announced on Tuesday.

The fight, which was the result of a deal between Fury co-promoters Top Rank and Queensberry, Ngannou’s GIMIK Fight Promotions and Riyadh Season, “will take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system.”

It was also announced that the fight “will take place in a regulation boxing ring under the standard boxing rules.”

However, what was not made clear was whether it will be an official fight that counts on their records.  The number of rounds the bout is scheduled for and whether Fury’s title will be stake also were not announced, although a source with direct involvement told Fight Freaks Unite that the fight will be a 10-rounder, which means it would not be a WBC championship fight — they are 12-rounders — if it is in fact an official bout.

No broadcast details were announced either but the event will be a pay-per-view of some kind.

“As soon as that bell goes, it’ll be bombs away,” Fury said. “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 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.”

Said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum: “Tyson Fury is one of the finest heavyweight boxers in history, and he now has an opportunity to lock horns with an MMA legend. This will be a historic event, and we know that Tyson Fury will put on a tremendous fight.”

The fight has percolated since April 2022 when, after the 6-foot-9, 264-pound Fury knocked out Dillian Whyte before 94,000 at London’s Wembley Stadium, ringside observer Ngannou, who is 6-4, 260 pounds, joined Fury in the ring and stood with him at Fury’s invitation for part of his post-fight interview.

“I’m the boxing heavyweight champion. He’s the UFC heavyweight champion. He’s in great shape. Look at the muscles on him,” Fury said before putting his arm around Ngannou. “This is gonna be one very special fight like never before seen in the history of our sport. We’re not talking two light guys, 140 pounds. It’s gonna be an explosive fight when it happens.”

With the official announcement, Fury added, “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. I’d like to thank my promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, my manager Spencer Brown and the guys at Riyadh Season for making this incredible event possible. It’s going to be a fight for the ages.”

‘As soon as that bell goes, it’ll be bombs away,’ — Fury

‘If I touch him, he’s going to sleep,’ — Ngannou

Ngannou (17-3, 12 KOs in MMA), 36, of Cameroon, was the reigning UFC champion at the time of Fury-Whyte but in late 2022 he departed UFC at the end of his contract when he could not come to terms on a new deal. He subsequently signed the PFL but that deal allowed him to pursue his dream of also boxing.

“I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years,” 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. 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.”

Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs), 34, of England, has not fought since pummeling the faded Derek Chisora in a 10th-round knockout in their third meeting in December. He mentioned several various opponents, including countryman and former unified titlist Anthony Joshua and a unification fight for the undisputed title with three-belt titlist Oleksandr Usyk. They had nearly finalized a deal for April 29 but Usyk walked away due to Fury’s onerous demands for the terms of a rematch clause.

“This heavyweight clash has ‘war’ written all over it. Tyson Fury is the most exciting heavyweight on the planet,” Queensberry’s Frank Warren said. “It is a game changer. We didn’t want to wait for Tyson to get out and here we are at Riyadh Season in a super fight. Tyson is at his best when he is breaking new boundaries and this event is one of a kind. History will be made in Riyadh with a battle of the giants from the two leading codes of combat fighting. Tyson is the true king of the ring and Francis Ngannou will present an intriguing challenge.”

The bout will take place in conjunction with the fourth annual Riyadh Season, an entertainment festival in the city that includes “concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and other unique cultural events.” This year’s festival opens on Oct. 28 with Fury-Ngannou as the centerpiece event.

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