Francis Ngannou Takes On Tyson Fury LIVE on ESPN+ PPV in America – Catch it this Saturday, October 28, at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT
For those already subscribed to ESPN+, grab the PPV for $79.99 here. First-time users, get started with ESPN+ here. Whether on your mobile or your TV, ESPN.com and the ESPN App have you covered.
In a meeting of titans, Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury, the undefeated WBC and lineal heavyweight boxing champ (33-0-1, 24 KOs), takes on the MMA heavyweight titleholder, Francis Ngannou (17-3, 16 Finishes). This 10-round boxing showdown, eagerly awaited by fans worldwide, marks the beginning of Riyadh Season, a grand entertainment and sports gala in Saudi Arabia’s heart.
Tyson Fury:
“I presented my best self. If he can handle that, I wish him well.”
“I felt so agile in the ring. Can you imagine? Weighing nineteen stone, standing at 6-foot-9, and still moving so effortlessly! That’s genuinely surprising. It seems a bit unfair!”
“It’s set. He acts as the aggressive one, while I strategize and dodge. Most of the time, the strategist prevails!”
“Francis Ngannou might as well be a chunky deli roll. He seems so conscious about showing his physique. Probably why he never bares his chest. He’d probably prefer to fight in a t-shirt. Just saying!”
Francis Ngannou:
“Frankly, I haven’t felt any respect from the boxing world. I don’t wait for people to acknowledge me. Respect isn’t handed out. You don’t just demand it from others without a reason. Respect must be earned, in boxing or any aspect of life.”
“Of course, I’m prepared to fight. If an opportunity for a big hit arises, I’ll take it. But if not, I’m fully focused on the fight itself.”
“Anything can happen. That’s why I’m here. Who would’ve thought we’d be discussing Tyson Fury like this a few years back?”
“I was enjoying myself so much, I almost showcased some moves. Then I remembered I’d be displaying my non-existent dancing skills, and thought better of it!”
The ESPN+ PPV hosted by Top Rank showcases an all-heavyweight lineup:
Fabio Wardley (16-0, 15 KOs) and David Adeleye (12-0, 11 KOs), two unbeaten Brits, will clash in a 12-round duel.
Joseph Parker (32-3, 22 KOs), the former world champion who trains alongside Fury, is set to take on Canada’s hard-hitting Simon Kean (23-1, 22 KOs) in a 10-round contest.
Arslanbek Makhmudov (17-0, 16 KOs), the 260-lb dynamo from Montreal, will go up against the ambitious Junior Anthony Wright (20-4-1, 17 KOs) in another 10-round bout.
Moses Itauma (5-0, 3 KOs), Britain’s young heavyweight sensation, is set to compete in a six-round match against Istvan Bernath (10-1, 8 KOs). ESPN’s team, comprising Joe Tessitore, Hall of Famer Timothy Bradley, Jr., Bernardo Osuna, and Brett Okamoto, will be commentating.
In the UK, Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou is set to air live and exclusively on TNT Sports Box Office in the UK. Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, will face off against ex-UFC heavyweight top-leve, Ngannou, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 28 October.
On the evening of Saturday, 28th October, fight enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland will experience a thrilling clash of champions. Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight champ, takes on Francis Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, live only on TNT Sports Box Office.
The WBC heavyweight titleholder, Fury, enters the fight scene with his belt, a testament to his talent since 2020. His counterpart, Ngannou, takes a bold step from the octagon to the boxing ring for his debut fight.
The Gypsy King, Fury, will return to the scene for the first time after a stellar defense of his title against Derek Chisora. This fight took place amidst a roaring crowd of 60,000 at Tottenham Stadium in December 2022. The champ showcased his might, sealing a victory with a 10th Round TKO. Throughout his nearly 14-year career, Fury stands unscathed with a streak of 34 fights.
After leaving the UFC in early 2023 with the heavyweight champion title to his name, Ngannou’s last octagon appearance witnessed him overpowering Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, concluding with a unanimous decision in his favor. His record boasts of 17 victories with a mere 3 defeats over a decade-long career. Transitioning to boxing, the Cameroonian-French contender is all set for his Riyadh debut. Carrying forward his octagon experiences, Ngannou currently reigns with the ‘World’s hardest punch’ accolade since 2018.
Fabio Wardley-David Adeleye, Joseph Parker-Simon Kean, Arslanbek Makhmudov-Agron Smakici and Moses Itauma highlight undercard
Unbeaten British heavyweight sensations Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye are all set to lock horns in a make-or-break fight on Saturday, October 28. This 12-round thriller, featuring the brightest emerging talents, will significantly ramp up the excitement leading to the iconic fight between WBC & lineal heavyweight boxing world champion Tyson Fury and MMA’s lineal heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou.
Ah, Riyadh! Not just known for its shimmering sand dunes but now also set to host what’s being dubbed the premier combat sports spectacle of 2023. A key component of Riyadh Season, a mega entertainment bonanza, this event showcases the raw power and agility that only the heavyweight division can deliver.
Not to be overshadowed, former WBO world champion Joseph Parker (32-3, 22 KOs), hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, is gearing up to fight Canada’s Simon Kean (23-1, 22 KOs). Meanwhile, Arslanbek Makhmudov (17-0, 16 KOs), another Canadian powerhouse, is set to defend his NABF title against Croatian pro Agron Smakici (19-2, 17 KOs). Each of these fights promises 10 rounds of adrenaline-fueled action.
, Moses Itauma, the 18-year-old heavyweight sensation (5-0, 3 KOs), waits eagerly for his yet-to-be-announced opponent in a special six-round fight.
Behind this grand spectacle stands a collaboration of boxing’s great promotional names: Queensberry, Top Rank, GIMIK Fight Promotions, and the Eye Of The Tiger team, promoting Kean and Makhmudov.
This lineup, topped by the Fury-Ngannou duel, will be available on TNT Sports Box Office.
Wardley from Ipswich, boasting a record of (16-0, 15 KOs), established himself as the English champion in 2021, later securing the British title. His recent win came over Michael Coffie this April.
Adeleye, London’s gem with a record of (12-0, 11 KOs), bagged the WBO European title earlier this year. This intense Adeleye-Wardley duel was fuelled further during a press conference in London when things, let’s say, got a tad heated. Some jabs, some red carpet tumbles, and poor Wardley ended up with a few souvenirs on his face.
Rewinding the clock, Parker achieved WBO glory in 2016 against Andy Ruiz Jr. Fast forward through some hard fights, he most recently celebrated 2023 victories against Jack Massey and Faiga Opelu. Kean’s journey includes a WBC International Silver championship in 2019 and a winning streak that features a victory over Eric Molina this March.
Lastly, Makhmudov’s boxing journey has been impressive. After grabbing the WBC Continental Americas title in 2019, he continued to collect belts and victories. In contrast, Smakici’s recent attempt for the European title against Agit Kabayel didn’t pan out, but he’s looking to bounce back.
The Fury vs. Ngannou spectacle can be accessed in the UK & Ireland via BT, Virgin Media TV, Sky, or online through either the TNT Sports Box Office website or app. A subscription to TNT Sports isn’t a prerequisite for purchasing this event.
Saturday, October 28
Top Rank on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View (2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT)
Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, 10 rounds, heavyweight
Fabio Wardley vs. David Adeleye, 12 rounds, heavyweight
Joseph Parker vs. Simon Kean, 10 rounds, heavyweight
Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Junior Anthony Wright, 10 rounds, heavyweight
Moses Itauma vs. Istvan Bernath, 6 rounds, heavyweight