Tyson Fury continues to test the waters for a boxing vs. MMA mega fight. The WBC heavyweight title holder from Manchester has repeatedly talked about the fight with the UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou soon. Ngannou reciprocated this desire and expressed confidence that the fight would eventually take place.
Fury doubled down on his desire to face Ngannou in a recent interview, giving more specific details, saying he expects the fight could take place "by March or February next year."
"I'm going to fight Francis Ngannou in Las Vegas next year, next March or February next year," Fury said in an IFL interview.
Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) is gearing up for an as yet unannounced heavyweight bout against compatriot Dillian Whyte, tentatively scheduled for April 23 at Wembley Stadium in London. White (28-2, 19 KOs) is the mandatory contender for the WBC belt. The duel can be organized, despite the long disagreements of the parties. The organizer of the meeting was determined by a promotional bid in which Fury's team, consisting of Queensberry Promotions' Frank Warren in tandem with Top Rank's Bob Arum, bid a record $41 million. The terms of the financial split of the proposed fee: 80-20 in favor of Fury.
Fury said there were no significant talks with Ngannou yet, but he expects things to change once he takes care of his business in the boxing ring.
“It won’t happen this year,” Fury said of preliminary talks with Ngannou. “But next year we can have some damn crazy fights. It will be a very big fight. I believe it will break all pay-per-view records in the United States. Two heavyweights, two champions will go head-to-head."
Ngannou, who defeated Cyril Ganet at UFC 270, is in contention with the UFC over new contract negotiations. Ngannou was adamant that the new deal with the organization should include a clause allowing him to compete in boxing matches, similar to what UFC star Conor McGregor recently achieved in his 2017 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
