Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou go head to head in a unique crossover boxing event in Saudi Arabia tonight.
Billed as the 'Battle of the Baddest', reigning WBC heavyweight champion Fury faces off against former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou in Riyadh. This evening's bout could be the start of a busy end to 2023 for the 'Gypsy King'.
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Fury's most recent bout came in December last year, when he faced Derek Chisora for a third time and cruised to a dominant win, defending his strap and seemingly setting up an undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
That contest is now only weeks away after an agreement was finally reached with Usyk for a heavyweight showdown with all the belts on the line. Therefore Fury will want to come through this event unscathed.
Should Fury beat Ngannou without any complications, that meeting with Usyk could take place as soon as December 23 back in Saudi Arabia, giving the sport a first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
This will be Ngannou's first-ever professional boxing bout, and his first fight of any kind since defeating Ciryl Gane at the start of 2022. Fury's WBC title is not on the line on Saturday night, so Ngannou will not become world champion even if he does pull off the ultimate shock.
There has been confusion surrounding whether or not this is a proper professional contest that will count towards the two fighters' respective records, though it seems like now that is indeed the case.
Fury vs Ngannou date, start time, venue and ring walks
Fury vs Ngannou is scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds and will take place tonight on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The main event ring walks are expected at around 10:40pm BST, although that is subject to change depending on the length of the bouts earlier on the card. The undercard should start at around 6pm.
Fury vs Ngannou fight card/undercard in full
Fury's close friend Joseph Parker is in action on the card, as the former heavyweight champion goes up against Simon Kean. Parker looks to continue his road back towards the top of the division, having lost to Joe Joyce last year.
Teenager Moses Itauma has his sixth professional bout, while Fabio Wardley puts his British heavyweight title on the line as he faces David Adeleye after an ill-tempered build-up.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou
Fabio Wardley vs David Adeleye
Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean
Arslanbek Makhmudov v Junior Anthony Wright
Moses Itauma vs Istvan Bernath
Carlos Takam vs Martin Bakole
Jack McGann v Alcibiade Duran Galvan
How to watch Fury vs Ngannou
TV channel: Fury vs Ngannou is available to watch live in the UK on pay-per-view via TNT Sports Box Office, at a cost of £21.95.
Live stream: Those that have bought the fight can also watch it live online via the TNT Sports Box Office app.
Live blog: Follow live coverage throughout the card with Standard Sport’s dedicated fight night blog.
Fury vs Ngannou purses
Fury recently revealed that Ngannou will earn $10million for this weekend's fight, a massive increase from the reported $600,000 he took home from his final UFC bout against Gane.
He said: "Everyone said he was an idiot for walking away from the UFC and now all of a sudden he's a genius, isn't he?
"Guy's about to make $10million. Come on! Egg on their face! Francis is going to make that bag. Rich!"
There has not been confirmation of Fury's purse for this bout, though reports suggest he could be set to earn £39m.
Fury vs Ngannou fight prediction
This is very much more about the event as a spectacle, and both fighters making a lot of money, than it is the fight itself.
Fury, the best heavyweight of his era, is at the very top of the sport and has never tasted defeat as a professional, and now goes up against a man in Ngannou who has never had a boxing bout.
The 37-year-old is as dangerous as anyone in the MMA world, but this is a very different assignment and it is impossible to see him living with Fury, who should be able to end this fight whenever he wants.
Ngannou's engine will also be an issue - he carries a lot of weight and now faces the prospect of 10 rounds against the fast hands and slickness of Fury.
Ever the showman, Fury can be expected to drag things out for a few rounds, but with that undisputed showdown with Usyk looming in the near future, he will not want to risk being in the ring too long and should finish things well inside the distance.
Fury to win by stoppage, in round five.
Fury vs Ngannou weigh-in results
Fury weighed in at 277.7lbs in Riyadh on Friday, some 9lbs heavier than for his last fight against Chisora last December.
Meanwhile, the lighter Ngannou tipped the scales at 272.1lbs.
Fury vs Ngannou betting odds
Fury to win: 1/16
Ngannou to win: 8/1
Draw: 35/1
Fury to win on points or by decision: 5/1
Fury to win via knockout or TKO: 1/5
Ngannou to win on points or by decision: 60/1
Ngannou to win via knockout or TKO: 9/1
