IT has been billed as the most anticipated fight of the month involving two powerhouses, Tyson Fury, who has held the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title since 2020 and Francis Ngannou, the previous Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Heavyweight Champion.
What started as an online feud has finally become a showdown of different combat sports.
The origins of this fight date back over a year ago when Ngannou entered the boxing ring and faced off with Fury following the latter’s knockout victory over Dillian Whyte at Wembley.
The world watched as these two formidable fighters exchanged fiery exchanges and intense stares.
The epic crossover bout which has been termed “Battle of the Baddest”, happening in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night is one of bragging rights, pride and possible egos.
Fury comes into this fight off the back of a 10th-round TKO victory against Derek Chisora in December of last year.
On the other hand, Ngannou who will be making his boxing debut has not fought since earlier this year, where he defeated Ciryl Gane via decision at UFC 270.
Despite this weekend’s showdown, the WBC belt will not be on the line as Gypsy King has a signed heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk also to be held in Saudi Arabia.
The fight is scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds, with a victor being decided on points or via knockout/TKO.
Were Fury to lose to Ngannou on Saturday night, the defeat will not count on his professional record.
In recent days, Fury has been vocal about his chances in the upcoming fight claiming he will put to rest any doubts about his opponent
“I’m gonna knock him out inside six rounds. And shall I tell you how I’m going to do it?
‘Get on the front foot, high arm, sticking him with a punishing jab, 19, 20 stone in the face, boom, boom, boom, bust him up, swell his eyes out, and then feint, slip, bang! K.O.”
‘On the front foot, not running away. On the front foot, hand-eye, let him hit the shoulder, slip, slip, bang, slip, slip, bang. Down in a heap,” he said in a faceoff interview with Ngannou on TNT Sports Boxing podcast.