Francis Ngannou will face Tyson Fury in a boxing match on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – and there’s potential for it to be just the first instalment of their competition.
The former UFC heavyweight champion will earn more facing Fury than he did in his entire campaign with that organisation, but will enter the ring a heavy underdog having never boxed professionally.
That stark difference in skills – considering Fury is, by most accounts, one of the most talented fighters on the planet – is why the announcement was met with backlash from boxing fans.
Many believe the WBC Heavyweight Champion should not have been granted permission from the sanctioning body to star in a crossover event.
Those same fans then won’t be pleased that, depending on how the action unfolds, it may happen twice. Speaking on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Ngannou said yes, there was a rematch clause in the contract.
“Yeah. There is a potential rematch clause. I don’t know exactly how to explain that language, but yes, there is a rematch inside it.”
Asked if that meant should he beat Fury there would be a second fight, Ngannou confirmed.
“Oh, for that one, definitely.”
If Fury wins, the MMA man said he’s not sure if he’s entitled to activate a rematch.
“That’s what I don’t know. We will see how it goes.”
According to Ngannou, any rematch won’t happen before his Professional Fighter’s League MMA debut that’s due to take place early next year.
Earlier in the interview, Ngannou said that the bout would count on the professional boxing records of both men, and that his team may speak to the WBC about the world title being on the line. That’s something ‘he doesn’t care about’, though, more than happy with just the fight being made.
After the event, Fury is expected to re-enter discussions for an undisputed bout with Oleksandr Usyk should the Ukrainian still hold all of his belts when that moment comes.
If he loses to Ngannou, a rematch will be the least of his worries given how one-sided pundits are predicting the fight should be. Defeat would spell major embarrassment for ‘The Gypsy King.’