The build up to the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou fight has been nothing like the boxing world has seen before.
Not many are giving the former UFC champion more than a puncher’s chance, and if Ngannou were to beat Fury it would undoubtedly go down as the biggest upset in the history of the sport.
The fight is taking place in Saudi Arabia and no expense has been spared during fight week, with the red carpet being rolled out for a host of celebrities and a who’s who of boxing royalty.
The stage is SET ?️
The STARS are out! ✨
Who will win the #BattleOfTheBaddest? ?#FuryNgannou | Live on TNT Sports Box Office, 6PM ▶️ https://t.co/wgh4XW86lb pic.twitter.com/DAaUC12lIh
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) October 28, 2023
The undercard fights took place in a ring outside the venue before the guests and spectators made their way into the main arena to watch an incredible Riyadh season opening ceremony.
When it was time for the main event and just when things couldn’t get more showbiz, the ring in which Fury and Ngannou would compete in arose from the floor in the centre of the venue.
The Boxing Ring is rising! ?#BattleOfTheBaddest | #FuryNgannou | LIVE NOW on TNT Sports Box Office ▶️ https://t.co/FXWiFF9GtR pic.twitter.com/UCN9u66MJE
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) October 28, 2023
Many pundits are calling this week the passing of the torch from Las Vegas to Saudi Arabia as the host city for boxing’s future mega fights.
If reports are to believed then fans won’t have long to wait for the next clash in the region – and they don’t come much bigger. Once again it will involve Fury, this time the man in the opposite corner will be Oleksandr Usyk. The two are scheduled to fight on December 23 and will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis back in 1999.
