The Fight
Boxing meets UFC once again on Saturday when world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury jumps into the ring with MMA legend Francis Ngannou.
Enthusiasts will tell you this is the most eagerly anticipated crossover clash since Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor got it on in 2017. On that occasion, an awful fight – McGregor could barely lay a glove on the American – ended with a Mayweather win via technical knockout in the 10th round. That it went that far was merely part of the show.
Expect more of the same here. Fury is capable of making this short and sweet but is likely aware the local luminaries will want to be entertained so expect this needless exercise, fittingly staged in Saudi Arabia, to be dragged out beyond the early rounds.
The winner will claim the Riyadh Champion belt – a title fabricated by the WBC – while both will return home with their bank accounts significantly enhanced.
The only boxing element to this will be Fury ensuring he doesn’t take too many heavy punches, as unlikely as that is, from a man the size of Ngannou with his unification bout with Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk scheduled for December.
What they said
Fury: “I have no doubt in my mind I will knock him out.
“I believe there’s levels to the game and he will find out my level on Saturday night.
“We’re going to see if he’s got the guts to stand and trade with the number one heavyweight in the world.”
Ngannou: “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 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗛𝗔𝗗 𝗔 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥!” ❌@TYSON_FURY 𝙂𝙊𝙀𝙎 𝙊𝙉 𝙊𝙉𝙀 about how the Saudi Arabia Royals have treated him in comparison to the UK government 🗣️#FURYNGANNOU #BATTLEOFTHEBADDEST #RIYADHSEASON 🇸🇦
𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐈… PIC.TWITTER.COM/GML2CHXLRW
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) OCTOBER 27, 2023
When and where does the fight take place?
The fight will be staged on the outskirts of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, tomorrow night (October 28).
Ring walks for the main event are expected to take place at around 10.45pm UK time.
How to watch
Should you wish to part with £21.95 then TNT Sports Box Office are showing it live in the UK.
You can stream it via your TV or on the TNT Sports app.
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https://www.businesscheshire.co.uk/category/sports/
