On 28th October Tyson Fury will lock horns with Francis Ngannou, exclusively broadcasted live on TNT Sports Box Office for the UK and Ireland audience for £21.95 in the UK.
In the US the Tyson Fury-Francis Ngannou Saudi Arabia Heavyweight Extravaganza will Stream LIVE on ESPN+ PPV – Priced at $79.99 across all distributors, it also will be available via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers.
Taking place amidst the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s scintillating Riyadh Season, this marquee event heralds the commencement of one of the globe’s most grandiose entertainment spectacles. Riyadh Season spans across the wintry months in Saudi Arabia’s sprawling capital.
Laura Woods, accompanied by boxing pundit Carl Frampton and MMA expert Dan Hardy, will preside over the presentation of this colossal encounter.
In the red corner stands the current WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, steadfastly holding onto his title since triumphing over Deontay Wilder in 2020. On the opposite side, making his boxing premiere and stepping out of the UFC shadows is Francis Ngannou, the erstwhile UFC heavyweight maestro.
The spectacle won’t just be limited to the main event. An all-heavyweight ensemble supports Fury’s much-awaited return. A clash of undefeated British titans ensues with Fabio Wardley (16-0, 15 KOs) going head-to-head against David Adeleye (12-0, 11 KOs), vying for the British Heavyweight championship. The undercard also features the former WBO heavyweight champ, Joseph Parker, squaring off against Canada’s Simon Kean. Fans can also catch a glimpse of the burgeoning talent, Moses Itauma, as he steps into the ring for the sixth bout of his pro journey.
Beginning 6 pm UK time, the undercard will be available on TNT Sports Box Office, with the inaugural hour being accessible to all viewers. The commencement of the fourth Riyadh Season will follow, showcasing a plethora of live acts, building up to the night’s boxing extravaganza.
Pricing & Viewing Details:
- UK viewers can get access for £21.95.
- Sky users can purchase via channel 490 or here.
- For viewers in the Republic of Ireland, pricing stands at €29.99 or €34.99 (on the event day) via Sky.
- Virgin Media TV users in the UK should navigate to the On-Demand section.
- BT TV loyalists can hop onto channel 494.
- To stream online, visit TNT Sports Box Office and adhere to the stipulated steps.
- Additionally, mobile carriers such as EE, Three, Vodafone, and O2 offer options for billing through mobile for online or app viewers.
FURY VS NGANNOU: WATCH IT LIVE ONLY ON TNT SPORTS BOX OFFICE
TYSON FURY, THE undefeated Lineal and WBC heavyweight champion of the world, and Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, will collide on Saturday, October 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in an epic showdown between two giants of their fields following the opening of Riyadh Season.
The clash to find out who is the “Baddest Man on the Planet” will take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with 3 judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system. Both fighters however are promising to meet in the middle of the ring, go to war and win by knockout in devastating fashion.
An agreement has been reached with Queensberry, Top Rank and Ngannou’s promotional banner, GIMIK Fight Promotions, to partner with Riyadh Season to host the history-making event that will capture the imagination of fight fans around the globe.
The world will discover who can rightly claim the title of “Baddest Man on the Planet” in the capital of the Kingdom, when “The Gypsy King” goes up against “The Predator” to determine the true Heavyweight King.
The fight will see the toughest chin in boxing tested by the Most Powerful Punch in the world, as confirmed by the Guinness World Records. This is a matchup where there will be no quarter given.
The mega-fight, one of the richest in history, will take place in a regulation boxing ring under the standard boxing rules in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s largest city.
Tyson Fury: “”I can hold my own against anyone. I did with Wilder. I sparred with Wladimir Klitschko, and I’ll certainly stand toe-to-toe with this guy.”
“Perhaps I’ll deliver a smooth, superior boxing show, ensuring he doesn’t lay a finger on me. Can you imagine that? Maybe I’ll amplify my jabs like Apollo Creed and weave in and out, just sticking and moving.”
“When Ngannou experiences my right punch, he’s not going to be on the winning side.”
“There are moments I look at my reflection and believe I’m pure brilliance. Just when people believed my time had passed, I prove them wrong and surprise them. Merely half a year ago, I was uncertain about my boxing future. Yet, here we are.”
“I’m not preoccupied with the Oleksandr Usyk fight right now. I have this challenge in front of me. Once I handle him appropriately, then we can think about what’s next.”
“As soon as that bell goes, it’ll be bombs away! This guy is supposed to be the hardest puncher in the world, but let’s see how he reacts when he gets hit by the Big GK. I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights. I’m looking forward to showing the world that The Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation in an epic battle with another master of his craft. Francis looked tough when he jumped in the ring after the Whyte fight, but there is no one tougher than me, and you’ll all see that in devastating fashion on October 28. I’d like to thank my promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, my manager Spencer Brown, and the guys at Riyadh Season for making this incredible event possible. It’s going to be a fight for the ages. Get up!”
Francis Ngannou: “When I walked from there, it felt surreal, thinking, ‘The young man achieved it.'”
“I didn’t aim to mimic what Fury might do. I’m not entering the ring to follow Fury’s style. I aim to showcase my style. Thus, my training revolved around enhancing my fighting techniques, which my coaches and I focused on. The preparation was challenging, yet successful.”
“While I recognize my limited boxing experience, I’ve always embraced challenges and have managed to surmount numerous obstacles.”
“Before anything unfolds this Saturday night, one thing’s clear. We both are among the toughest fighters globally, only vying for that top position.”
“I’ve eagerly anticipated a fight with Tyson Fury for the past four years. Back then, I wasn’t familiar with Oleksandr Usyk. But when the chance arose, I had my eyes set on Fury. He’s the one.”
“I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years. My dream was always to box, and to box the best. After becoming the undisputed MMA Heavyweight Champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet. I’d like to thank Riyadh Season and my team at 3Point0 Labs for helping put this event together. All I will say to Tyson for now is he better dance in that ring because if I touch him, he’s going to sleep.”
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh (Chairman of the Board of the General Entertainment Authority and Head of Riyadh Season): “Riyadh Season 2023 is back for its fourth edition of world class experiences and live events — keeping its claim as one of the most anticipated entertainment seasons worldwide. Following its opening ceremony, Riyadh Season 2023 will kick-off with an electrifying boxing match on October 28th, 2023. MMA and boxing audiences will witness the ultimate clash between two champions, Tyson Fury against Francis Ngannou. This face-off will set a new standard for such an event.”
Frank Warren (Queensberry Chairman): “This heavyweight clash has ‘war’ written all over it. Tyson Fury is the most exciting heavyweight on the planet. It is a game changer; we didn’t want to wait for Tyson to get out and here we are at Riyadh Season in a super-fight. Tyson is at his best when he is breaking new boundaries and this event is one of a kind. History will be made in Riyadh with a battle of the giants from the two leading codes of combat fighting. Tyson is the true King of the Ring and Francis Ngannou will present an intriguing challenge as he has the much publicised Most Powerful Punch in the world, this guy has a sledgehammer in each hand. Can Tyson avoid the sledgehammer all fight? What happens if it lands? It will be a truly spectacular event and Riyadh Season will provide a stage fit for two champions in one boxing ring.”
Bob Arum (Top Rank Chairman): “Tyson Fury is one of the finest heavyweight boxers in history, and he now has an opportunity to lock horns with an MMA legend. This will be a historic event, and we know that Tyson Fury will put on a tremendous fight. The people of Riyadh and fight fans around the world are in for a real treat.”
Marquel Martin (Chief Executive Officer, 3Point0 Labs): “Francis has been defeating the odds since he was born and so has Tyson from what I understand. Both are ‘Kings’ of their respective heavyweight divisions in their primes, and we finally get to see whose head is fit to wear the crown. We have all the respect in the world for Tyson and his team, but they are not accustomed to dealing with a force of nature like Francis. He’s simply BUILT DIFFERENT and I think Tyson will feel that in the Ring come October 28th in Riyadh. History is made here and we’re very much looking forward to shocking the world once again.”
Andrew Cutrow (Chief Business Officer, 3Point0 Labs): “All due respect in the world to a heavyweight fighter of Tyson’s calibre, sitting up there with the Mike Tysons and Muhammad Alis of the world, but there is no one with the will and fight that Francis has. He’s beaten every insurmountable challenge in his life, whether in the ring or in life, and it’s fair to say that NO ONE wants to be on the end of one of his punches. Riyadh should get ready for a fight for the ages – one that will go down in history as one of the greatest sporting events of this generation.”
Tyson Fury background:
The undefeated Fury, 34, the 6-foot-9 self-styled Gypsy King with a record of 33-0-1 (24 KOs), first became unified world heavyweight champion back in November 2015 when he toppled the long-standing ruler Wladimir Klitschko.
Dusseldorf, Germany, was the scene of one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history, when the unified king was befuddled by the bashful Brit. The Ukrainian was completely outfoxed by his younger challenger and Fury wasn’t to be denied. Klitschko was parted from his four belts and Lineal champion status.
After a lengthy period out of the ring, Fury teamed up with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren to plot his route back to heavyweight domination and, after just two return fights, he accepted the challenge of taking on the previous WBC champion and biggest puncher in world boxing, Deontay Wilder, in December 2018.
The outcome was a hotly disputed draw, which ensured the Fury-Wilder chapter still had a couple more pages to run. Fury linked up with Top Rank and ESPN in America, and a rematch with Wilder took place in February 2020. Fury took many experts by surprise by stating his intention to meet the ferocious hitter in the centre of the ring.
To that end, he teamed up with old comrade SugarHill Steward in order to maximise his own offensive weapons. True to his word, Fury rocked Wilder and put him down in the third and fifth before the towel came in from Wilder’s corner just over halfway through the seventh.
An absolute thriller took place in October 2021 in Las Vegas. Fury picked up where he left off and put Wilder to the canvas in the third before a spirited revival from the ‘Bronze Bomber’ saw Fury down twice in the fourth. The champion prevailed convincingly in the end, with Wilder down the 10th and then out for count in the 11th. An epic trilogy had played out before the eyes of the world.
London was calling when a mandatory defence against WBC interim champion Dillian Whyte was called by the governing body. There was only one place fit to stage the homecoming of The Gypsy King and a packed to the rafters Wembley Stadium became Fury’s field of dreams. Wembley is traditionally known as the ‘Home of Legends’ and Fury added his name to the illustrious list with a spectacular sixth-round stoppage in front of 94,000 spectators.
Fury sold out another stadium last December, this time Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with 60,000 people braving the night air to see him overwhelm Derek Chisora for a third time via a 10th-round stoppage in what represented a third defence of his WBC world championship.
Francis Ngannou background:
Ngannou, 36, 17-3 (12 KOs) has a life-story that most wouldn’t believe possible. The 6’4, 280-pound physical specimen, hailing from Batie, a small village in Cameroon, Africa, grew up working in a sand quarry starting from the age of 10. At 22 years old, harbouring a dream to box, Francis decided to leave on foot across the Sahara, traveling on raft across the Strait of Gibraltar on a life-threatening journey, only to find himself homeless on the streets of Paris, walking into a gym. It didn’t take long for his coaches and peers there to realize his raw talents and God-given power to knock people out.
He was encouraged to enter an MMA tournament to make some extra cash in November 2013, and less than 8 years later, Francis would become the UFC’s first-ever African Heavyweight Champion, knocking out arguably the greatest Heavyweight in UFC History, Stipe Miocic, spectacularly in the second round. In January 2022, Ngannou defended his title against the undefeated interim UFC Champion Ciryl Gane, winning the fight via unanimous decision, all while fighting on a torn ACL and MCL against doctors’ guidance.
In late 2022, Ngannou decided to enter free agency and departed the UFC following the end of his contract, subsequently signing an unprecedented mega-deal as a global strategic partner with global MMA co-leader Professional Fighters League (PFL) and their Super Fights Division in 2023, further serving as the Chairman of PFL Africa, set to launch in 2025.
When’s the Fury vs. Ngannou fight?
Date: Saturday, October 28 Start time: 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. UK / 8 p.m. AST Expect the main men, Fury and Ngannou, to step into the ring around 5:40 p.m. ET / 10:40 p.m. UK / 12:40 a.m. AST. Heads up though; these times might shift a smidge depending on how long the previous fights last.
Oh, and for our lovely US fans, don’t forget that the ESPN broadcast kicks off an hour later at 2 p.m. ET. Click here to catch it LIVE on ESPN PPV
Q: What channels can I catch the fight on TODAY? A
- U.S.: ESPN+ PPV
- UK: TNT Sports Box Office
- Everywhere else (besides UK, US, Canada, and Ireland): DAZN Feeling a tad lost? Don’t sweat it! US viewers can catch all the excitement on ESPN+ PPV, while the UK crowd can get in on the action with TNT Sports Box Office. And for all our international fans (with a few exceptions), DAZN PPV has got you covered.
Q: Can I stream the Fury vs. Ngannou fight on DAZN TODAY? A: Absolutely! The event will be available live on DAZN or DAZN PPV in a whopping 200+ countries! (UK, Ireland, U.S., and Canada, you’re the exceptions this time.)
Fury vs. Ngannou Fight Card TODAY:
- Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou – Heavyweight
- Fabio Wardley vs. David Adeleye – Heavyweight
- Joseph Parker vs. Simon Kean – Heavyweight
- Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Junior Anthony Wright – Heavyweight
- Moses Itauma vs. Istvan Bernath – Heavyweight
- Carlos Takam vs. Martin Bakole – Heavyweight
- Jack McGann vs. Alcibiade Duran Galvan – Super welterweight