In a surprising crossover event, boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is set to face off against Francis Ngannou, a prominent mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, in a professional boxing match in Saudi Arabia on October 28. Speculation had been rife for months, particularly following Ngannou’s departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the premier MMA promotion in the world.

Fury’s team has revealed that the fight in Riyadh will have “three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system,” adhering to traditional boxing rules. However, the specific number of rounds for the bout remains undisclosed at this time. Enhance your boxing viewing experience with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.

The reigning World Boxing Council champion’s most recent fight took place in December, where he triumphed over British boxer Derek Chisora within 10 rounds. However, discussions for an undisputed world title showdown with Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk fell through in March, leading Fury to pursue this high-profile clash with Ngannou.

Hailing from Britain and born into an Irish Traveller family, Fury, also known as the “Gypsy King” (GK), expressed his anticipation for the upcoming match: “This guy is supposed to be the hardest puncher in the world, but let’s see how he reacts when he gets hit by the Big GK. I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights.”

Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, has earned a reputation as a formidable puncher throughout his career, amassing 17 victories out of 20 professional UFC fights, with an impressive 12 knockouts. However, the transition from MMA to boxing has proven challenging for other notable MMA stars such as Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva, and Tyron Woodley.

Ngannou had expressed his desire for a crossover bout with Fury after Fury’s win against Dillian Whyte in April last year, stating, “I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years. My dream was always to box, and to box the best. After becoming the undisputed MMA heavyweight champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet.”

The World Boxing Council (WBC) clarified that it would not be involved in the fight, as Fury has been granted “special permission” for a non-title bout due to the absence of a mandatory challenger for his championship.

With two colossal athletes from different combat sports disciplines preparing to collide, the forthcoming clash between Fury and Ngannou has captured the attention and imagination of fight fans worldwide. As the date approaches, anticipation continues to build, and the world eagerly awaits the clash of these mighty contenders. Get the latest updates from the world of boxing only on Nextbet Sports.