Tyson Fury has confirmed that his next fight will be against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Riyahd, Saudi Arabia on October 28, 2023. With Fury and Ngannou coming head-to-head, the entire world will see the clash of two of the most dominating and feared fighters in their respective sports. This showdown for dominance promises to be a monumental battle that will be remembered for generations. Both Fury and Ngannou have a reputation for being the toughest in their fields, and they came into this fight with the intention of making a statement. The match, which is dubbed "The Clash of the Titans," will undoubtedly live up to its title. Fury is the current heavyweight champion of the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the lineal champion of boxing. Ngannou, on the other hand, is the former UFC heavyweight champion of mixed martial arts (MMA), and he is known for his devastating knockout power. Both men have a reputation for having incredible strength, charisma, and confidence. Who, though, is a greater fighter?

Tyson Fury

Former unified heavyweight champion and one of the greatest boxers in the world, Tyson Fury is widely regarded as one of the best in the sport. He holds a record of 33 wins, 0 defeat, and 1 draw, with 22 of his wins coming by knockout. [caption id="attachment_7895" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Former unified heavyweight champion and one of the greatest boxers in the world, Tyson Fury is widely regarded as one of the best in the sport. | Source: Google[/caption] When it comes to knockouts, Fury has a 70.6% rate. He has a record of 33 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw. Among his 24 knockout victories, 12 came in the opening round, 8 in the middle rounds, and 4 in the closing rounds. Fury has gone undefeated in his professional career, with only a disputed draw in 2018 against Wilder as the lone blemish on an otherwise flawless record. [caption id="attachment_7896" align="aligncenter" width="482"] Fury's only draw came from a match against Deontay Wilder in 2018. | Credit: Talksport. | Source: Google[/caption]

Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou, a former heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is now a professional boxer. His powerful knockout power has earned him a reputation. In 2017, at the UFC Performance Institute, Francis Ngannou hit the hardest punch ever recorded, setting a new world record. [caption id="attachment_7905" align="aligncenter" width="463"] Francis Ngannou with his UFC Heavyweight Championship Belt. | Credit: Gettyimages[/caption] He landed a 129,161-unit punch on the scale. Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has equated a blow from Ngannou to the force of a 96-horsepower Ford Escort traveling at top speed. His winning streak is 17-3-0, with 12 knockouts and 4 submission victories. [caption id="attachment_7898" align="aligncenter" width="457"] Ngannou's blow is compared to the force of a 96-horsepower Ford Escort traveling at top speed. | Credit: The sun[/caption]

How Did This Fight Come About?

Since Ngannou entered the ring with Fury during the latter's April 2020 knockout victory over Dillian Whyte, fans have been speculating about a potential battle between the two. The two fighters joked around, showed respect for one another, and made a few references to a potential future confrontation. Since then, the two fighters have seen highs and lows. In March of 2021, negotiations fell through between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight champion of boxing, to set up a unification bout to determine the first undisputed champion in boxing's bellwether category in over two decades. The following year, in December 2021, Fury successfully defended his WBC title against Derek Chisora via knockout in the 10th round. In contrast, Ngannou won the UFC heavyweight title after knocking out Stipe Miocic in their rematch in March 2021. However, due to a dispute over contract with UFC, he lost his belt and was released as a free agent in January 2022. Subsequently, he joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL), a competing mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion with a season format and a $1 million reward for each weight class winner.

What Are the Stakes for This Fight?

Fury and Ngannou's fight is more than just a show. It's a showdown between two fighters who both believe themselves to be the best in their field, thus it's also a test of their talents, styles, and egos. It is an opportunity for both competitors to show their worth to supporters, critics, and competitors. For Fury, this bout is a chance to show off his skills in the ring against a dangerous opponent who has never boxed professionally before. In the ring, Fury has proven himself time and time again, defeating heavyweight legends like Wladimir Klitschko, Deontay Wilder, and Dillian Whyte. He has fought off mental health issues, substance abuse, and weight gain to recapture his former glory. In this bout, Fury has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Ngannou sees this match as an opportunity to showcase his skills as the worthy opponent and athlete. After losing to Miocic in their first match, Ngannou came under fire for his lack of technical proficiency and adaptability in MMA. UFC president Dana White stripped him of his championship and called him greedy and disrespectful because he refused to sign a new contract. Ngannou stands to lose everything and gain nothing from this fight.

Who Has the Edge in This Fight?

Predicting the outcome of the fight between Fury and Ngannou is challenging because the two combat sports have vastly different rules, techniques, and strategies. But we may try to figure out who has the upper hand in this fight based on some shared characteristics, such size, power, speed, skill, and experience.

• Size: The two competitors are monstrous for their weight classes. While Ngannou is 6'4" and weighs about 250 lbs, Fury is 6'9" and hovers around 260 lbs. In contrast to Ngannou, whose reach is only 83 inches, Fury's is 85 inches, giving him a huge advantage. This allows Fury to escape Ngannou's devastating blows by keeping him at bay with his jab.

 

• Speed: Both competitors have displayed incredible speed for their size, with lightning-fast reactions and quick footwork. Fury gets the upper hand when it comes to speed because he is quicker on his feet than Ngannou is. Fury may also use his ability to change stances and angles to throw off his opponents. Ngannou, on the other hand, uses his speed and energy to surprise his opponents.

 

• Experience: Both competitors have fought some of the greatest in their fields and have gained a wealth of experience as a result. Fury has had a little experience advantage, having boxed since he was a child and having 27 professional bouts to his name. In addition to fighting in Germany, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, he has done so in a variety of arenas across the world. Ngannou is less seasoned than his opponent because he never started boxing until he was 22 and has only fought 20 times as a professional. Additionally, he has only had a single battle outside the United States.

 

• Skill: Each fighter brings unique abilities to the table. Fury has more refined and varied boxing skills because he has learned the basics of the art. He is a well-rounded boxer who can land jabs, hooks, uppercuts, and body blows from any angle. He is flexible in strategy and approach, able to adjust to new situations and new opponents. When it comes to boxing, Ngannou is new and inexperienced than his opponent. He acquired the fundamentals from his trainer, Dewey Cooper. For the most part, he relies on his straight right, left hook, and overhand right. He has also trained in wrestling and grappling with the guidance of Kamaru Usman and Curtis Blaydes, however he rarely employs these techniques in actual fights.

 

• Power: Both boxers are renowned for their devastating knockout power, having won the majority of their bouts via stoppage. Fury has knocked out his opponents 22 times in his 25 victories, while Ngannou has done so 12 times in his 17 victories. When it comes to punching power, however, Ngannou has the upper hand. His 129,161 units set a new UFC Performance Institute record. If Ngannou manages to land a tremendous blow to Fury's chin, the fight will be over.

What Do the Odds Say About This Fight?

The predictions for this fight are mixed, as both experts and amateurs will favour either of the fighters. It is possible that Fury will outbox and outwit Ngannou due to the latter's inability to keep up with Fury's movement and pressure, given that the former has superior boxing skills and reach. Since Ngannou has neither the stamina nor the experience to last in a boxing match, the general view is that he will tire out quickly. [caption id="attachment_7902" align="aligncenter" width="385"] Tyson Fury | Credit: Skysports[/caption] It is also possible that Ngannou will surprise Fury with his explosive power and speed, and that Fury will not be able to deal with Ngannou's aggression and strength.  Possibly, Ngannou will knock Fury out with a powerful punch. [caption id="attachment_7897" align="aligncenter" width="389"] Francis Ngannou. | Credit: Gettyimages[/caption] One of the most talked about boxing contests in recent years is the one between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. Although Fury is the clear favorite, Ngannou poses a significant threat due to his powerful punches. Two of the top heavyweights in the world will square off in what could be a thrilling showdown, with the victor maybe earning a shot at the undisputed title. The match is sure to be a huge event, and it is sure to generate a lot of interest around the world. It is a fight that no fan of boxing or MMA will want to miss.