25 October 2023 , 10:27
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Tyson Fury has warned Francis Ngannou he will be disqualified if he does "anything stupid" during their boxing fight.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou makes his boxing debut on Saturday against Fury as they kick off Riyadh season in Saudi Arabia. Fury has boldly claimed that he would even beat Ngannou in an MMA fight but has repeatedly changed his stance on a potential cage fight rematch between the pair.
Crossover fights in recent months have seen the likes of UFC legend Nate Diaz and Bellator MMA star Dillon Danis try to choke out their respective opponents. Fury and Ngannou's fight will take under traditional boxing rules place and 'The Gypsy King' has insisted his rival will be punished for showing off any of his MMA skills.
Who wins on Saturday - Tyson Fury or Francis Ngannou? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
“This is a boxing fight and it’s actually a proper boxing, sanctioned fight. If he starts doing anything stupid, he’ll get chucked out and disqualified. Game over. This is not a wrestling match, an MMA fight or a street fight. This is Queensbury rules. The greatest sport in history," Fury told MMA Junkie.
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"This is big time boxing, so welcome to big time boxing. Am I a heavy favourite? Two giant men swinging at each other and whoever lands first will go down? It's very difficult to hit me even if you've got a handful of rice. He's either gonna sink or swim and either way, I'm knocking him out."
Many boxing purists aren't giving Ngannou any more than a puncher's chance as he looks to hand Fury his first professional defeat. Ngannou feels he's already won before stepping foot in the ring having parted ways with the UFC at the beginning of the year after a bitter contract dispute in the hopes of securing a big boxing payday.
"There is definitely a good respect otherwise he wouldn't have taken the fight," Ngannou said. "In order for him to take a fight against somebody who is fighting for the first time, he respects them as an opponent and knows they are legit. This is already a success and a win, I've won already and on Saturday night I'm going out there to get a second win."