The fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou has raised eyebrows in the sport, but there’s no denying the all-heavyweight undercard is a great offering.
Featuring Joseph Parker, Carlos Takam, Martin Bakole, bogeyman Arslanbek Makhmudov and prospect Moses Itauma, the Riyadh-based event is clearly focused on delivering value for its pay-per-view price tag.
Perhaps the most competitive and intriguing bout is between British Heavyweight Champion, Fabio Wardley, and undefeated up-and-comer, David Adeleye.
One man will leave the ring with his first loss, and the other will move ahead to bigger things in a division that’s crying out for new stars.
Initially, it was said that Wardley’s title would not be on the line in the fight given its location off UK shores, but the British Boxing Board of Control has today released a statement with an updated decision.
Following a request from Promoter Frank Warren and invitation from the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, the BBBofC have agreed that the tournament scheduled for Saturday, 28th October 2023 in Boulevard Hall, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia be held under the BBBofC’s jurisdiction.
As such, the above mentioned British Championship is approved to be contested on this tournament.
The famous and well-regarded belt – held by the likes of Fury, Anthony Joshua, Lennox Lewis and Henry Cooper in the past – was the one thing missing from an intriguing match-up.
Both fighters added bitterness to the mix when they brawled at the initial press conference, and fans are suitably hyped for the bout that’s set to prop up the main event on October 28.
Following that incident, there were initial fears that a cut suffered by Wardley would cancel the match-up altogether. With that not the case and the belt now on the line, fans are in for another good British title fight – albeit over 3,000 miles away.