Francis Ngannou is set to fulfill his wish this weekend as he faces Tyson Fury in his debut boxing bout on October 28, 2023. The Cameroonian-French MMA fighter was the UFC Heavyweight champion but his contract talks with the promotion broke down over his wish to box among other things. He vacated his title and joined PFL, an MMA promotion that did not interfere with his desire to box.
Ngannou had expressed a wish to box Tyson Fury or former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder since before he won the UFC Heavyweight title in 2021. He defended his title once in January 2022 and that was the last time he fought inside the Octagon. Ngannou officially left the UFC in January 2023.
Tyson Fury Vs Francis Ngannou! What a promo video! pic.twitter.com/xN2HMjRnNB
— Naija News (@Naija_News_) October 20, 2023
In July 2023, the pro boxing bout between Ngannou and Fury was announced. It is set to take place in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although it is an official bout, Fury’s WBC Heavyweight title will not be on the line. Instead, the fight will be for the WBC Commemorative Riyadh Championship.
The undercard of the fight will also feature some strong bouts. The strongest of them all is the fight between Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye, for the WBO European, WBA Continental, Commonwealth, and British heavyweight titles.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou: Stats
Stats | Tyson Fury | Francis Ngannou |
---|---|---|
Wins | 33 | 17 (MMA) |
Losses | 0 | 3 (MMA) |
Height | 6 ft 9 in | 6 ft 4 in |
Division | Heavyweight | Heavyweight |
Reach | 85 in | 83 in |
Age | 35 | 37 |
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou: Fight breakdown and prediction
A 10-round encounter awaits the two heavyweights in Saudi Arabia this weekend. Many fans, however, feel this crossover is too unfair for Ngannou and he does not stand a chance against one of the best heavyweights of our generation. Those fans are not completely wrong but neither of the two fighters is taking this lightly.
“It’ll be the two baddest mother f*ckers on the planet meeting in the center of a ring and someone is going to get knocked spark out,” Fury told about their fight to Bleacher Report last month.
“I’m coming to take the guy’s head off, and he’ll be coming for mine. It’s a fight,” Fury further said, according to Bleacher Report. “I’m not out there to dance around for a bunch of rounds. I don’t get paid extra for overtime.”
The hardest hitting man on the planet 💥🌍
Can Francis Ngannou land THAT punch on Tyson Fury? 👀#BattleOfTheBaddest | #FuryNgannou | Saturday, 6PM | Live on TNT Sports Box Office pic.twitter.com/rrK59FccJR
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) October 25, 2023
Although Ngannou had one of the strongest punches in UFC, we cannot underestimate the fact that he is facing Fury in his backyard. 12 of Ngannou’s 17 wins in MMA have come via knockouts (punches). The MMA fighter’s only reliable tactic seems to be the hardest punch he’s ever hit. He also has Mike Tyson coaching him to land that punch. It is highly unlikely he dominates 10 rounds enough to win via a decision.
Tyson Fury answered the question if he was concerned about what would happen if Ngannou landed a punch on him during their first face-off.
What’s your thoughts guys. #FuryNgannou #boxing #tysonfury #ngannou #BattleOfTheBaddest
The Arsenal David Hundeyin #CHEARS
Yamal Doku pic.twitter.com/zOA9vDoJLB— Ifeanyi Odogwu (@Brykas_official) October 21, 2023
Fury, on the other hand, will not wait to get knocked out. 24 of his 33 wins have come via a KO – he is no stranger to a strong punch. However, Fury might just wait it out. Ngannou might be rusty as he has not fought since January 2022. Also, Ngannou has never fought a bout as long as he is about to set out on Saturday. Fury could just look to evade Ngannou for a few rounds and land his killer blow after Ngannou has worn out.