Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou date: UK Start time, undercard and how to follow as WBC champion battles former UFC star

16/10/2023 10:36

Tyson Fury will finally return to the ring next weekend when he faces former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in a historic crossover bout.

The Gypsy King has teased a showdown with the MMA legend since he knocked out Dillian Whyte to retain his WBC belt in April 2022.

The clash has drawn a fair amount of criticism from fans who wanted Fury to take on Oleksandr Usyk.

However, negotiations for that fight broke down as did a potential Battle of Britain meeting with heavyweight rival Anthony Joshua.

Fury will instead square off with former UFC heavyweight superstar Ngannou under professional boxing rules.

‘The Predator’ is making his first outing inside a boxing ring since his release from Dana White’s company in January.

The contest will be fought over 10 rounds and will count as an official bout but Fury’s title will not be on the line.

Fury is then finally set to face Usyk in Saudi Arabia later this winter to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

Fury vs Ngannou: Date and how to follow

This 10-round crossover clash will take place on Saturday, October 28 and is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The start time for fight night is yet to be officially announced, but the ring-walks for the main event can be expected at around 10pm UK time.

The event will be broadcast live on TNT Sports Box Office – the new name for BT Sport – and will be priced between £19.95 – £24.95.

ESPN+ is showing it in the USA and the PPV price has been announced as $79.99.

talkSPORT will have updates throughout fight week and will be running a live blog of all the action on fight night as well.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

ou can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Getty

Getty

Fury vs Ngannou: Undercard

Subject to change

• MAIN EVENT: Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou 
• David Adeleye vs Fabio Wardley
• Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean
• Martin Bakole vs Carlos Takam
• Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Agron Smakici
• Moses Itauma vs TBC

Fury vs Ngannou: What has been said?

Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, has revealed why there will be no world title belts on the line for this fight.

“There won’t be any belts on the line because the guy is not ranked, but we’re not selling it as that, it’s an event,” Warren said on Drive.

“We’re not saying he’s in the ratings and he won’t be in the ratings, it is what it is. It’s a crossover event between two guys from two different disciplines.”

When asked whether the fight would count on Fury’s professional boxing record, Warren said: “It’s a different type of event, I don’t know, you’ll have to ask the governing bodies.”

Fury vs Ngannou: Betting Odds

Tyson Fury – 1/10

Draw – 20/1

Francis Ngannou – 6/1

*Odds Correct as of 9/10/2023 16:00