Tag: Tyson Fury

Breaking – Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk sign contracts for blockbuster title fight targeted for December in Saudi Arabia

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk sign contracts for December title fight in Saudi ArabiaThe long-awaited heavyweight championship fight between incumbent WBC champion, Tyson Fury, and current WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk appears closer to fruition as it has been, with multiple reports confirming both men have signed on the dotted line ahead of a planned December 23. championship fight in Saudi Arabia. Fury, the […]

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk sign contracts for December title fight in Saudi Arabia

The long-awaited heavyweight championship fight between incumbent WBC champion, Tyson Fury, and current WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk appears closer to fruition as it has been, with multiple reports confirming both men have signed on the dotted line ahead of a planned December 23. championship fight in Saudi Arabia.

Fury, the current undisputed WBC heavyweight champion, most recently headlined a December card in London last year against three-time foe, Derek Chisora, defending his championship in a tenth round TKO win over the championship challenger.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have put pen to papers on contracts for a fight

And just next month, the Morecambe striker is set to fight former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou in a 10-round professional boxing match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. And just 8 weeks later according to multiple reports this evening, Fury will tangle with Ukraine favorite, Usyk in a heavyweight title fight.

“Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have signed contracts for an undisputed heavyweight championship fight in Saudi Arabia, multiple sources told ESPN,” Mike Coppinger posted on his official X account. “Fight could take palce Dec. 23 or sometime in January, sources said. Fury first meets Francis Ngannou on Oct. 28 in Saudi Arabia.”

Himself featuring just recently atop a card in Poland, Ukrainian striker, Usyk managed to successfully retain his above-mentioned championship straps with a stunning ninth round KO win over British championship challenger, Daniel Dubios.

The victory came off the back of a notable doubleheader against former two-time world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua – whom he managed to turn in consecutive decision victories over in 2021 and 2022. 

Winning world heavyweight titles against the legendary, Wladimir Klitschko back in 2015, Fury would score two back-to-back knockout wins over former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder in 2020, and 2021, before defeating fellow British heavyweight, Dillian Whyte in April of last year with a thunderous sixth round TKO stoppage at Wembley Stadium.

Who wins: Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk? 

Watch: Francis Ngannou and ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson put on a show at open workout session ahead of Tyson Fury fight

Francis NgannouFrancis Ngannou and legendary pugilist ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson put some work in during an open workout session on Tuesday evening. The former UFC heavyweight world champion is roughly a month away from his highly anticipated return to combat sports. But this time, ‘The Predator’ won’t be stepping into the cage. Instead, he’ll get back to […]

Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou and legendary pugilist ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson put some work in during an open workout session on Tuesday evening.

The former UFC heavyweight world champion is roughly a month away from his highly anticipated return to combat sports. But this time, ‘The Predator’ won’t be stepping into the cage. Instead, he’ll get back to his roots by strapping on the 10-ounce gloves for a clash in the squared circle with perhaps the greatest boxer in the world today, Tyson Fury.

Ahead of their showdown in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on October 28, Francis Ngannou showed off his evolution as a striker during an open workout session in Las Vegas alongside boxing icon Mike Tyson.

Francis Ngannou is Getting Back to His Roots

Going into the contest, many fight fans believe that Francis Ngannou’s only chance to walk away with the victory is by landing one big punch. While ‘The Predator’ has made a name for himself with his legendary knockout power, Ngannou is more than ready to show the world that he’s more than a one-shot type of fighter.

“In fact, that’s what I’m going to prove,” Ngannou said during Tuesday’s open workout media scrum in Las Vegas. “That’s why I’m doing this. I think, OK, the one-shot guy, you can get away with the one shot for some time, but not always. I have heard that same story before. Looks like deja vu.”

Before dominating the world of mixed martial arts, Francis Ngannou began training as a boxer. Getting back to where it all began for him, Ngannou sees his fight with the reigning WBC heavyweight champion as a boxer vs. a boxer. Not MMA vs. boxing.

“I know there is a difference,” Ngannou said. “I never thought it was the same thing. There’s some similarities, basically, as a combat sport, but they are very different on the focus, the training on the stance, and everything. Just a little reminder: I started doing boxing even before MMA, and when I came to MMA, I had to adjust my boxing style to fit in MMA. Otherwise, it wouldn’t work.”

He continued, “I see it more like two boxers. For this fight, I’m not training with an MMA mentality like I’m an MMA guy. I’m going out there to box. I’m training as a boxer. I’m not seeing myself as an MMA guy, so I hope you guys, too, see me as a boxer” (h/t MMA Junkie).

John Fury blasts Mike Tyson for coaching Francis Ngannou ahead of Tyson Fury fight: ‘I named my son after him’

john furyJohn Fury, father of WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, does not seem best pleased with Mike Tyson… Fury and Ngannou are set to square-off against one another in just a month time in a 10 round boxing match. The bout will  be held on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and while Ngannou will be […]

john fury

John Fury, father of WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, does not seem best pleased with Mike Tyson…

Fury and Ngannou are set to square-off against one another in just a month time in a 10 round boxing match. The bout will  be held on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and while Ngannou will be a sizeable underdog with a slim chance of victory will also pick up a life changing payday.

Ngannou will however have the help of former undisputed heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, who is set to be in the corner for the fight.

This may cause a slight rift between the two teams as fury was named after Tyson, with his father saying on numerous occasions that he was his favrioute fighter.

Neither Fury seem particularly happy about the new pairing.

“Irritating,” the elder Fury said reacting to the corner appointment.  “I named my son after this man and he’s in his opponents corner, but that’s business and the business of the game we’re in. Would I want him in Tyson’s corner, yes I would, but he’s a grown man and can make his own decisions.” (H/T Talk Sport)

Tyson Fury agrees with John Fury

‘The Gypsy King’ appears to agree with his father and described the move as ‘sad’.

“The man that I am named after, a legend, has to go against me and then come out as a loser, having lost to a man who was named after him,” the Gypsy King said. “I think that it’s sad and I think that he should be in my corner, not the opposing corner, but business is business and I understand that it’s strictly business.”

“No matter what he teaches this fella , no matter how much boxing training he does, everyone has got a plan until they get punched in the face and I’m not sure who said that, but that is true.”

Tyson and John Fury talk Mike Tyson and Francis Ngannou

Do you agree with Tyson and John Fury?

Tyson Fury warned UFC alum Francis Ngannou is ‘More dangerous’ than ex-Champion opponents ahead of fight

Tyson Fury warned Francis Ngannou is more dangerous than former opponents UFC boxingUndisputed WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury has warned by promoter, Bob Arum, that incoming opponent, Francis Ngannou will pose a much more “dangerous” threat to him than past opponents and former champions, Derek Chisora, and Dillian Whyte. Fury, who boasts an undefeated professional record, is slated to make his return to the ring in October […]

Tyson Fury warned Francis Ngannou is more dangerous than former opponents UFC boxing

Undisputed WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury has warned by promoter, Bob Arum, that incoming opponent, Francis Ngannou will pose a much more “dangerous” threat to him than past opponents and former champions, Derek Chisora, and Dillian Whyte.

Fury, who boasts an undefeated professional record, is slated to make his return to the ring in October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, taking on former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Ngannou over the course of 10 rounds in a professional boxing match.

The outing with come as Morecambe native, Fury’s first since December of last year, where he most recently landed a third career win over the above-mentioned title challenger, Chisora.

That victory came as Fury’s second of the year, having previously stopped the previously noted, Whyte with a thunderous uppercut KO in London. And according to Arum, however, Cameroonian knockout artist, Ngannou will most definitely pose a much more severe threat to him than either Chisora or Whyte.

Tyson Fury issued warning ahead of boxing match with Francis Ngannou next month

“Absolutely, this is a more dangerous fight,” Arum told Pro Boxing Fans during a recent interview. “(Francis) Ngannou hits harder than either (Derek) Chisora or Dillian Whyte, and when you’re in with a puncher like that, and you’re not in perfect chsape, that’s when you can knocked out.”

“Francis Ngannou is a tremendous puncher, probably the best puncher in the history of the UFC,” Arum explained. “This is going to be a really interesting fight. It’s going to be very fun to watch.” 

Sidelined from active competition since he headlined UFC 270 back in January of last year, former undisputed champion, Ngannou unified the heavyweight titles on that occasion, landing a unanimous decision victory over then interim champion, Ciryl Gane over the course of five rounds. 

Can Francis Ngannou spring an upset against Tyson Fury next month in Saudi Arabia?

Ciryl Gane believes Ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou will defeat Tyson Fury: ‘Everything is possible’

Ciryl Gane Francis Ngannou Tyson FuryThe French heavyweight phenom Ciryl Gane is optimistic that his former training partner and opponent Francis Ngannou has what it takes to defeat Tyson Fury on the 28th of October. The fight between Ngannou and Fury is rapidly approaching, and with that: we see Ngannou have a chance of being the first man to hold […]

Ciryl Gane Francis Ngannou Tyson Fury

The French heavyweight phenom Ciryl Gane is optimistic that his former training partner and opponent Francis Ngannou has what it takes to defeat Tyson Fury on the 28th of October.

The fight between Ngannou and Fury is rapidly approaching, and with that: we see Ngannou have a chance of being the first man to hold a victory over Fury in a professional boxing match. The power that Ngannou holds in his hands is just as powerful if not more so than that of a Deontay Wilder, and Gane is not underestimating that aspect of his former opponents’ game. That’s not to say that the only path to victory for Ngannou is a knockout or count-out, but honestly; nobody is really expecting the technicality of the two fighters’ game to be anywhere near the same level.

Ngannou could very well win on the judges’ scorecards, but such a thing would surely have to occur due to points won via knockdowns, people would assume. The true fact is, nobody really knows what will happen when Fury and Ngannou meet in the ring. The large majority are fully expecting Tyson Fury to waltz his way to the end zone, but Ciryl Gane is comfortable going against the grain.

Ciryl Gane calls for Francis Ngannou to defeat Tyson Fury

“On paper, I’m going to say Tyson Fury,” Ciryl Gane began, speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour (H/T MMA Fighting). “…But everybody knows the power of Francis, and everything is possible during the fight, so you never know.”

“…For this fight, I’m going to be behind Francis… to create the surprise,” Gane continued. “It’d be really crazy, and everything is possible. You see in (Floyd) Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor, (McGregor) did very well. He did very well.”

That fight between Mayweather and McGregor broke major ground between MMA and Boxing and paved the way for super fights just like Ngannou and Fury. However, this fight between ‘The Predator’ and ‘The Gypsy King’ might have been postponed for too long now. The talks about a potential fight between the two began occurring years before it was really solidified. Outside factors played a part in this, such as Ngannou being bound by the UFC and their stipulations regarding a super fight; but still. The fight between Ngannou and Fury is not as big compared to what many believe it could have been.

However, if the former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou could manage to come away with a victory over Fury, it would probably go down as one of the most insane moments of all time in the combat sports realm. The fight would go from being just another sideshow to the most legendary moment to occur in recent memory. It would pave the way for a rematch that would likely do outrageous numbers, but Ngannou would have to do the unthinkable and dethrone Tyson Fury first.

“You never know,” Ciryl Gane continued, speaking to Helwani. “I don’t know how much time he trained for this fight — I’m talking about Francis — but he can surprise the people, and it was his dream when he started. When he came to France, it was his dream to be a boxer and not an MMA fighter. So, maybe? We never know.”

“(Ngannou) is still dangerous, he has big power. But yeah, on paper, Tyson Fury (should win), but maybe we’re going to have a big surprise. We will see.”

What do you think about Ciryl Gane’s opinion on this fight?

Ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou accuses Tyson Fury of glove tampering: ‘I think he’s cheating’

Francis NgannouFrancis Ngannou may want to take a closer look at Tyson Fury’s gloves before the pair square off in the squared circle next month. Nearly two years removed from his last appearance inside the Octagon, Ngannou will make his long-awaited return on October 28 when he makes his pro boxing debut against the reigning WBC […]

Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou may want to take a closer look at Tyson Fury’s gloves before the pair square off in the squared circle next month.

Nearly two years removed from his last appearance inside the Octagon, Ngannou will make his long-awaited return on October 28 when he makes his pro boxing debut against the reigning WBC heavyweight world champion, Tyson Fury. With a month to go before their highly anticipated clash, ‘The Predator’ is levying some pretty big accusations, claiming that ‘The Gypsy King’ is potentially tampering with his own gear to gain an unfair advantage.

“Tyson’s gloves,” Ngannou said during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. “He’s very tricky with his glove. I think he’s cheating. I’ve heard a lot of complaints about his gloves, that his gloves have no protection.”

Ngannou Says Fury’s Past Opponents Have Expressed Their Concerns

Francis Ngannou claims to have heard complaints from some of Fury’s biggest opponents, giving way to his own suspicions as fight night draws near.

“Even when he fought Deontay Wilder, he complained about that,” Ngannou said. “Derek Chisora complained about that, and that’s what we’re talking about with the team, the U.K. commission and the gloves.

“We’re going to get there, and we need every glove to get checked. You don’t tell me about this, commission. All the gloves get to be checked. If you want us to fight bare-knuckle, let’s go bare-knuckle, but don’t give me 10-ounce gloves, and he wears eight or six-ounce gloves because he has no protection” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Joe Rogan pushed back on Ngannou’s claim, but ‘The Predator’ made it clear that his team will work to ensure that there is no foul play when the two behemoths meet in Saudi Arabia.

Their October 28 contest will be the first appearance of either man in 2023. Ngannou last competed at UFC 270 in January 2022, successfully defending the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane before parting ways with the promotion three months later. Fury completed a trilogy fight with Derek Chisora in December 2022, earning a 10th-round TKO in a fight that nobody really asked for.

Once his pro boxing debut is in the books, Francis Ngannou is expected to move back into the world of mixed martial arts under the PFL banner after signing a ground-breaking deal with the promotion earlier this year.