By Shaun Murphy-
Tyson Fury, the self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King,’ reigning heavyweight boxing champion, is set to take on a formidable challenge in a crossover fight with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
The bout, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia this Saturday, has not been without its critics, but it stands to earn Fury a hefty payday.
The fight, which brings together two fighters from entirely different disciplines, has sparked intense discussions among fans and experts in both the boxing and UFC worlds.
Fury’s Wbc title will not be on the line.
Many have voiced their disapproval of the bout, questioning Fury’s decision to step into the octagon with Ngannou when they had been eagerly anticipating bouts against Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua.
Despite the uproar, a unification bout with Usyk looms on the horizon for Fury, irrespective of the outcome in Riyadh, as his WBC title will not be on the line.
The ‘Gypsy King’ remains the clear favorite to emerge victorious, given his impressive track record and status as the world heavyweight champion.
The winner of the bout, dubbed the ‘Battle of the Baddest’, will receive a commemorative ‘Riyadh champion’ belt, with the fight taking place in a separate ring in an arena adjacent to the undercard bouts.
Francis Ngannout Image: mmajunkie.usatoday.com
Introduced by legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer, the weigh-ins were watched by a plethora of stars from the combat sports world including Manny Pacquiao, Joe Calzaghe, Larry Holmes and Chuck Liddell.
Fury’s boxing career is nothing short of remarkable. With a record of 33 wins and one draw from 34 fights, he has reached the pinnacle of the sport.
Fury’s career reached its zenith when he outpointed Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, clinching the IBF, IBO, WBA (Super), and WBO heavyweight titles.
His journey has not been without its challenges, including a battle with depression and addiction that led to a three-year hiatus from the ring.
However, Fury made a triumphant return with a trilogy of fights against Deontay Wilder, captivating fans and asserting himself as the WBC heavyweight champion.
The saga with Wilder, which saw Fury recover from a knockdown to secure back-to-back wins, cemented his legacy. After the trilogy concluded in 2021, Fury boldly declared himself the best fighter of his era, with an unshakeable belief in his abilities to take on any fighter in history.
In contrast, Francis Ngannou’s path to the ring has been an arduous one. Raised by a single mother in the Cameroonian village of Batie, he endured a challenging upbringing, walking six miles to school and working in sand mines from a young age.
His journey eventually took him from Cameroon to Morocco, where he encountered the trainer Fernand Lopez. Under Lopez’s guidance, Ngannou transitioned from boxing to MMA, embarking on an extraordinary career.
Ngannou’s MMA journey was propelled by a series of knockout victories. He secured the UFC heavyweight title after avenging his loss to Stipe Miocic with a stunning 52-second knockout win.
Despite his impressive UFC career, which included 17 wins, 12 by knockout, Ngannou chose to leave the promotion in 2022.
Now, the world eagerly anticipates the historic crossover bout. While Fury’s net worth is estimated to be in the range of £130 million, much of it earned through his trilogy with Wilder, Ngannou’s reported £4 million earnings in the UFC pale in comparison.
Nevertheless, Ngannou’s manager, Marquel Martin, believes the fight with Fury could be a game-changer, potentially exceeding his lifetime earnings in the UFC.
Tyson Fury’s decision to step into the octagon with Francis Ngannou promises not only an epic showdown but also a considerable windfall, making it a fight that the world of combat sports cannot ignore.