In an unexpected twist, renowned mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou has announced that he will be joined by the legendary heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson in his corner for his upcoming face-off against World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The highly-anticipated boxing match is scheduled to take place on October 28 in Saudi Arabia, as part of the annual entertainment and sports festival, Riyadh Season.
The partnership between Ngannou and Tyson was officially confirmed through a statement released by Riyadh Season on Thursday. Tyson expressed his unwavering support for Ngannou, stating, “It’s no secret I back Ngannou 100 percent in this face-off of champions. He has one hard punch, and when it lands, it’s game over. I am looking forward to working with Ngannou and supporting his transition from the Octagon to the boxing ring.”
While Ngannou does not boast a professional record in boxing, the 36-year-old Cameroonian-French fighter has garnered a formidable reputation as a powerful puncher during his time as the UFC heavyweight champion. Ngannou held the title until January, when he parted ways with the organization’s president Dana White following a contentious relationship.
With 17 victories out of 20 professional UFC fights, including an impressive 12 knockouts, Ngannou’s credentials are nothing short of extraordinary. The decision to bring in Mike Tyson, a boxing icon and experienced figure in the sport, has been hailed by Ngannou as one of the best decisions he could make.
Ngannou shared his thoughts on the collaboration in the statement, saying, “His experience and boxing IQ will be important to honing my technique under his guidance to win this super-fight.”
It’s worth noting that Tyson Fury’s WBC title will not be at stake in this particular “exhibition” bout. The match will be governed by the rules of professional boxing, promising an intriguing spectacle for fight fans around the globe.
Fury, the British boxing sensation, demonstrated his prowess in his last fight against fellow countryman Derek Chisora, securing a victory inside 10 rounds in December. However, talks of an undisputed world title showdown against Oleksandr Usyk came to an unfortunate halt earlier this year.
As anticipation builds for the Ngannou-Fury clash in the boxing ring, the presence of Mike Tyson in Ngannou’s corner adds a layer of excitement and intrigue to an already high-stakes event. Fight enthusiasts worldwide will be closely monitoring this epic encounter between two champions from different disciplines as they prepare to create history on October 28 in Saudi Arabia.
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