Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou will put on a heavyweight spectacle on October 28 in Saudi Arabia.
The WBC Champion won’t defend his title at all in 2023, instead opting for the crossover bout that will welcome Ngannou, a former UFC belt-holder, to the boxing ring for the first time.
Fury will step through the ropes a heavy favourite to leave the mega-money bout unscathed. However, according to Ngannou, there was some insurance built into the contract.
Speaking to the MMA Hour, the he said yes, there was a rematch clause.
“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 there would be a second fight if he caused the upset and beat Fury, he was clear.
“Oh, for that one, definitely.”
Ngannou went on to say that what he didn’t know was if he was entitled to the same privilege if he loses. Other insiders have also been led to believe there was such a clause for a Fury loss.
The comments, made in July after the fight was announced, are in direct contrast to Fury’s update from the kick-off press conference. He boasted that if a man was beat once, he should move on.
“Oh yeah, by the way, we’ve got no rematch clause. So that sucks, doesn’t it? Imagine that. Couldn’t be bothered. I don’t like rematches. I hate them. I’ve been in litigation loads of times over poxy rematch clauses. When you beat a man once, that should be it, move on.”
Whether or not the terms have changed in the time between the comments is unclear, but the fight wouldn’t have been announced and marketed without a final signed contract.
Many fans will believe the details are irrelevant given the overwhelming feeling that Fury will breeze through the bout.