It is a fight that has all the ingredients of a blockbuster bout as former UFC champion Francis Ngannou prepares for his first professional boxing match. His opponent Tyson Fury is not an apprentice but a master of the ring and one of the big names in boxing. Tensions have been flying between the two camps ahead of the mega bout scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia. Boxing promoters and enthusiasts have dubbed it the “Battle of the Baddest”. But will it live up to its expectations?
The mega fight will take place on Saturday night October 27. However, the fight which many believe is the greatest boxing match of 2023 has given fans a series of entertainment in its build-up. We provide the latest developments ahead of the much-anticipated bout.
Tyson Fury goes topless in hilarious face-off
Heavyweight championship boxer Tyson Fury
Ahead of the much-anticipated clash, Tyson Fury and Ngannou undertook a face-off to size up each. Interestingly, Fury attempted to charm his opponent during the hilarious staredown and joked that Ngannou was in great shape. Fury made attempts to convince Ngannou to also go shirtless ahead of Ngannou’s first professional boxing match. He taunted him and made fun of his body.
The Daily Mail reports that Fury’s father John Fury also removed his shirt and stood between the two fighters. As tensions intensified in the face-down that took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hawk-eyed security monitored the fighters closely.
Tyson Fury’s father challenges Mike Tyson to a fight
Legendary former boxer Mike Tyson could be back in the boxing ring one last time should he accept a challenge from John Fury. The duo have been integral in the preparations for the major bout tipping Ngannou against Tyson Fury. Mike Tyson has been helping Ngannou with his training as he seeks to make his first professional boxing match. Ahead of the build–up of the major bout, John Fury challenged Mike to a match. It remains to be seen if the two former fighters will jump into the ring to knock out each other’s jaws.
READ ALSO: Quick facts about the Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury fight
What Ngannou said ahead of his first professional boxing match
Francis Ngannou trains ahead of his first professional boxing match
The odds appear stacked up against him but legendary fighter Francis Ngannou is ready for the clash. In his first professional boxing match, Ngannou is facing a man widely considered as one of the best in modern boxing. Tyson Fury boasts of several belts to his name and is one of the hard hitters in the sport. However, Ngannou says he is ready.
Ahead of the fight, the former UFC champion described how the fight is likely to kick-start a successful career in boxing. In a report by Sky Sports, Ngannou said he is hoping to silence his critics with the fight. The fighter believes upsetting Fury would be a dream for him. And in his dream first professional boxing match, Ngannou is not ruling out winning by a knockout. “I’m going to win. A knockout is a part of it.”