After months of speculation, Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou was made official Tuesday with the boxing bout set for October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Though the official announcement gave us a confirmed date and location for when and where the heavyweights will decide who the "Baddest Man on the Planet" is, currently unknown is whether Fury's WBC and lineal world heavyweight titles will be on the line. Also, the number of rounds that Fury and Ngannou will box hasn't been confirmed just yet, either. DAZN reached out to Top Rank to get confirmation on whether this will be an official championship defense for Fury and also regarding the clarity of the rounds, but has yet to receive confirmation as of press time.
Top Rank's press release Tuesday did, however, state: "The clash to find out who is the 'Baddest Man on the Planet' will take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system. Both fighters however are promising to meet in the middle of the ring, go to war and win by knockout in devastating fashion."
The release added: "The mega-fight, one of the richest in history, will take place in a regulation boxing ring under the standard boxing rules in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s largest city."
Fury, who hasn't defended his WBC title since a 10th-round TKO of Derek Chisora in December, is looking forward to the unique challenge.
"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," Fury said in the release, referring to Ngannou owning the 'Most Powerful Punch' in the world, as confirmed by the Guinness World Records.
"I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights. I’m looking forward to showing the world that The Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation in an epic battle with another master of his craft. Francis looked tough when he jumped in the ring after the Whyte fight, but there is no one tougher than me, and you’ll all see that in devastating fashion on October 28."
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion who announced a deal with the PFL in May, can't wait to test his boxing skills against the undefeated "Gypsy King."
“I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years," Ngannou said. "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. All I will say to Tyson for now is he better dance in that ring because if I touch him, he’s going to sleep.”