Tyson Fury on Facing Francis Ngannou: “I Expect Nothing Less than a Slugfest”
Division: Heavyweight
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Date: This Saturday, 28th October
How to Watch: Catch live updates via text commentary on Sport Newes Center’s website and app starting at 21:00 BST.
In a display of audacious confidence, Tyson Fury nudged and poked at Francis Ngannou during their weigh-in for the much-anticipated heavyweight bout taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this Saturday.
The British WBC titleholder, Tyson Fury, at 35 years of age, tipped the scales at 19 stone 8 pounds, edging out 37-year-old French-Cameroonian Ngannou by four pounds.
Ngannou, the former UFC champ making his inaugural foray into boxing, countered Fury’s antics by using his chest to shove him back while they both engaged in a verbal spar.
“People try to mess with my head all the time, but it’s not gonna work,” Ngannou retorted.
“I’ve been around for a while now. I see it as just another part of the game. No hard feelings.”
Although Fury’s championship won’t be at stake in this 10-round showdown, it’s still ambiguous whether this match will be classified as a pro fight.
The ever-charismatic Fury, who took to the stage with a combo of shadowboxing and dance moves, brushed off any notion that Ngannou could pull off an upset.
“We’re not in this to drag it out; we’re here for a good time, not a long time. I plan to make it quick and painless for him,” Fury asserted.
“Imagine a ping pong champ taking on Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon finals. It’s not even comparable. Boxing isn’t about who’s the biggest or strongest; it’s an art form.”
What’s the Real Deal with Fury’s Attitude Toward Ngannou?
5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce: Fury vs. Ngannou—Breaking Down the Press Conference
Is This Even a Pro Fight?
Fury is ‘Focused Solely on Ngannou’, Ignores Usyk for Now
For Ngannou, Boxing Against Fury is a ‘Whole Different Beast’
Tagged as the ‘Battle of the Baddest,’ the winner will be honored with a special ‘Riyadh Champion’ belt. The bout will occur in a dedicated ring near where the undercard fights are taking place.
The illustrious ring announcer Michael Buffer introduced the fighters, who were observed by a galaxy of combat sports luminaries such as Manny Pacquiao, Joe Calzaghe, Larry Holmes, and Chuck Liddell.
Ngannou, a study in contrast to the buoyant Fury, donned an all-white ensemble and was accompanied by his pal and former UFC champion, Israel Adesanya. He offered reserved smiles and nods to the crowd as he ascended the stage.
In a cheeky maneuver, Fury pretended to hold Ngannou’s shirt while he posed on the scale, only to toss it out to the onlookers in a playful twist.
Traditional boxing fans have raised eyebrows at Fury for choosing a crossover fight with a rookie like Ngannou instead of squaring off against a higher-ranked opponent.
Moreover, Fury has drawn scrutiny for allegedly neglecting Ngannou by inking a deal to confront Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in a forthcoming undisputed heavyweight title fight slated for December 23.
When queried about Usyk, Fury quipped that his eyes are “firmly set on Francis Ngannou” and that he’s looking to take a family break post-fight before setting his sights on the Ukrainian competitor.
Although Ngannou is untested in boxing, his MMA credentials speak for themselves: 12 KOs out of 17 bouts, with only three losses.
The matchup will be a part of the annual ‘Riyadh Season,’ a festival of entertainment events in the Saudi capital. This has attracted significant investment from the Saudi government, a move that has stoked controversy.
Saudi Arabia’s growing ambition to be a hub for world-class sports, such as boxing events, Formula 1 races, and even a World Cup bid for 2034, has drawn criticism owing to the nation’s dubious human rights record.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has shrugged off these concerns, stating last September that he is unbothered by accusations of “sportswashing”—using high-profile sports events to distract from criticisms related to human rights issues, among others.
In a Human Rights Watch report released in August, Saudi border officials were implicated in the alleged mass killings of migrants at the Yemeni border—accusations that Saudi Arabia has denied.
Additional criticisms have been leveled at Saudi Arabia for a range of human rights abuses, including mass executions, infringements on women’s rights, criminalizing homosexuality, stifling freedom of speech, and its role in the ongoing Yemen conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou weigh-in
What is the focus of the article?
The article focuses on the recent weigh-in between British WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and French-Cameroonian former UFC champ Francis Ngannou. The event took place ahead of their bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the article delves into the interactions, comments, and general atmosphere surrounding the two fighters.
When and where will the fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou take place?
The fight is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Live updates will be available on Sport Newes Center’s website and app starting at 21:00 BST.
What was the weight of each fighter at the weigh-in?
Tyson Fury weighed 19 stone 8 pounds, while Francis Ngannou was four pounds lighter at 19 stone 4 pounds.
Will Tyson Fury’s WBC title be on the line?
No, Tyson Fury’s WBC title will not be at stake in this 10-round fight. It is still unclear whether the bout will be classified as a professional fight.
How did each fighter react during the weigh-in?
Tyson Fury was audacious and confident, nudging and poking at Ngannou, while also dismissing his chances in boxing. Ngannou, on the other hand, was more reserved but unfazed by Fury’s antics, stating that mind games are a part of the sport and they won’t affect him.
What’s the significance of this bout in Saudi Arabia?
The bout forms part of the annual ‘Riyadh Season,’ an entertainment events festival in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government’s investment in hosting the fight is part of a larger, controversial effort to establish the country as a global sports hub, despite its questionable human rights record.
Who are some of the other high-profile figures who attended the weigh-in?
Notable figures like Manny Pacquiao, Joe Calzaghe, Larry Holmes, and Chuck Liddell were present at the weigh-in, which was announced by legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer.
What criticisms have been leveled at Tyson Fury?
Boxing purists have criticized Fury for taking a crossover bout against Ngannou, who is a boxing novice, rather than facing a higher-ranked boxing contender. He has also been scrutinized for already signing a deal to fight Oleksandr Usyk, potentially overlooking Ngannou.
What is Francis Ngannou’s combat sports background?
Francis Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion with an MMA record of 12 knockouts from 17 fights and three defeats. This bout with Tyson Fury marks his boxing debut.
What is the “Riyadh Champion” belt?
The winner of this bout, dubbed the ‘Battle of the Baddest,’ will receive a special ‘Riyadh Champion’ belt as a commemorative honor.
More about Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou weigh-in
- Tyson Fury’s Official Website
- Francis Ngannou’s UFC Profile
- Sport Newes Center’s Live Coverage Information
- About Riyadh Season Festival
- Human Rights Watch Report on Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia’s Sports Investments and Controversies
- WBC Heavyweight Rankings
- Oleksandr Usyk’s Boxing Record
- History of Crossover Fights in Boxing and MMA
- Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Record
10 comments
Man, this is gonna be wild. Fury’s really pushing Ngannou’s buttons, huh? lol can’t wait for Saturday.
Fury v Ngannou, Pacquiao in the audience? Its like the Avengers of combat sports, all we need is Iron Man to referee!
tyson offering to hold Ngannou’s shirt and then tossing it to the crowd? Classic Fury mind games haha
Why is Fury already talking bout Usyk? Shouldn’t he be focused on the task at hand? Seems risky.
Buffer, Pacquiao, Calzaghe, Holmes, Liddell all in one place? Man, that’s a hall of fame lineup right there!
Don’t underestimate Ngannou, that guy’s got knockout power for days. He could surprise everyone.
Seriously? Fury taking on a UFC guy? Cmon man, stick to real boxing.
Good article but wish there was more focus on the controversy of the location. it’s a big deal, you know.
Gonna stream this fight on Sport Newes Center, hope their app doesn’t crash with all the traffic lol
Is anyone else concerned bout Saudi Arabia hosting this? I mean, with their track record on human rights n stuff?