Tyson Fury touches down in Saudi Arabia for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou after AJ dig
05/03/2024 23:29
Tyson Fury has landed in Saudi Arabia ahead of rival Anthony Joshua taking on his former opponent Francis Ngannou in Riyadh.
AJ will face former UFC star Ngannou in the main event of 'Knockout Chaos' on Friday, with Fury’s brother Roman also on the card.
The Gypsy King was in the Middle East last month to prepare for his undisputed heavyweight world title clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
However, although that bout was postponed after Fury suffered a gash in sparring, the Brit star has now returned to Saudi Arabia.
The 35-year-old was given a hero’s welcome upon his arrival in the Kingdom, having been handed a bouquet of flowers.
Fury will join up with his brother’s camp before taking his spot ringside for Joshua’s show on Friday.
His presence may lead to an awkward reunion with AJ, having hit out at his compatriot in the hours before he jetted into Saudi.
The WBC champion was fuming Joshua predicted he would follow in his footsteps by falling to Usyk when the pair meet in May.
Speaking to iFL TV, he said: “I think Usyk will win.”
However, when Joshua was pressed on who he would prefer to have their hand raised, he added: “It’s a great question. Probably Fury, logically, because it’s a bigger fight.
“Well, that’s if he fights me, he always says he doesn’t want to fight. But it’s a bigger fight for me down the line if he wins.
“That’s the only reason I would say Fury, for my own benefit. Very selfish reasons.”
Joshua’s bold prediction clearly struck a nerve with Fury though, with the latter taking to social media to vent his frustrations.
“Only in AJ's dreams can Usyk ever beat me,” Fury wrote on Instagram. “I'll wipe the floor with both of you bums.”
Fury’s return to Saudi Arabia also may set up a reunion with Ngannou, who almost sprung the biggest upset of all time during their fight – in what was the Predator’s boxing debut last October.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou floored Fury but ultimately walked away with a contentious split-decision defeat.
Ngannou will look to stop Joshua this weekend, before aiming to face the winner of Usyk's four-belt unification fight with Fury.
