With most of the opinion the fight itself will be non competitive, much of the discussions around Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou have surrounded how much money will be generated from the event – and particularly how much the former UFC star will earn.
And Fury himself has let the cat out of the bag regarding the final point, revealing Ngannou’s purse at the launch press conference this week.
Ngannou left the UFC after falling out with boss Dana White over his pay, and, if Fury’s summation is correct, his decision appears to have been a wise one.
“Everyone said he (Francis Ngannou) was an idiot for walking away from the UFC, and now all of a sudden, he’s a genius, isn’t he?
The guy’s about to make $10,000,000. Come on. Egg in their face. Francis is about to make that bag. Rich.”
Astronomical numbers, especially given the fact Ngannou reportedly never once broke a seven figure purse during his entire time with the UFC.
Though Ngannou has a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in MMA, he is expected to be leagues below Fury in terms of skill and ring IQ and few believe it is likely he will be able to land clean on the Brit.
The crossover clash has received a mixed reception at best from boxing fans, who are growing tired with Fury’s either inability or unwillingness to agree terms for an undisputed heavyweight world title fight with Oleksandr Usyk or, failing that, a long overdue domestic dust up with Anthony Joshua.