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FIGHT ODDS

The Pulse: Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou

Brian KnappOct 26, 2023

Combat sports worlds will once again collide when Tyson Fury-Francis Ngannou headlines a Top Rank-GIMIK Fight Promotions boxing pay-per-view on Saturday at Boulevard Hall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, enters the ring with a 33-0-1 record. Ngannou, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder, has never before competed in the Sweet Science. Talk surrounding the match—arguably the most significant crossover event of its kind since Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought Conor McGregor in 2017—permeates social media. A look into some of the discussions:

Fury and Ngannou started their final approach to fight night with open workouts, showing off some of their wares to the buying public in the Middle East.





Though the two participants are reportedly in line to bank upwards of $50 million (Fury) and $10 million (Ngannou), those promoting the event continue to sidestep questions regarding whether or not it will go down as an official bout.



“Rumble in Riyadh” pits two of the most accomplished heavyweights in boxing and mixed martial arts history against one another. As such, it has drawn the interest of some of the usual suspects in the combat sports world.









Ngannou may be a longshot at best—pundits point to the proverbial “puncher’s chance”—against Fury, but some feel he can take a victory lap no matter the outcome.



While Fury-Ngannou carries widespread appeal due to the accomplishments and skills of those involved, apathy toward the fight does not appear to be in short supply.