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Boxing

Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou agree to hybrid fight

Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou agree to hybrid fightGettyImages
In the leadup to Saturday's fight against Dillian Whyte, Tyson Fury claimed he'd retire after the contest. Fury nailed a one-hitter quitter to send Whyte packing at Wembley Stadium to retain the WBC and lineal heavyweight titles. But the retirement talk came to a screeching halt.

Fury left the door open during his post-fight interview by saying, “I think this is it. This might be the final curtain for The Gypsy King.” While Fury was talking, UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was lurking in the background and talking with people when the Englishman waved him to come over. Then Fury was asked if Ngannou would be his next fight instead of possibly taking on either Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk.

"I'm the boxing heavyweight champion. (Ngannou) is the UFC heavyweight champion," Fury said. "He's in great shape. Look at the muscles on him.

"I want to find out who the baddest motherf—er on the planet," Ngannou exclaimed.

Fury and Ngannou were all smiles and exchanged handshakes. Would a potential fight be inside the boxing ring or the famed Octagon?

"This is going to be one very special fight," Fury said. "Never seen before in the history of our sport. We're not talking kilo weight guys at 140 pounds. I'm 270 (pounds). He's 270. It's going to be an explosive fight when it happens. 

"It's going to be a hybrid fight with a different type of rules," Ngannou added. "MMA gloves in the ring. A little different. 

Ngannou last fought at UFC 270, beating Ciryl Gane via unanimous to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. He is currently sidelined until at least the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023 after undergoing major knee surgery after the fight.