Explainers

MUCH to the delight of boxing fans, Tyson Fury is returning to the ring against former UFC star Francis Ngannou.But what belts are on the line? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the highly-anticipated action.

TYSON FURY VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER CLASH
What belts does Tyson Fury have?
The legendary Gypsy King has won every belt there is to win in the sport, but currently holds the WBC title.
In 2015 Fury’s victory over Wladimir Klitschko earned him the WBA, IBF, WBO IBO and The Ring heavyweight belts, however, various events following the win forced him to vacate those titles.
He gained his WBC belt by beating Deontay Wilder in 2020, having failed to win the title in their first fight back in 2018, after the bout was deemed a draw.
Has Tyson Fury lost any belts?
In 2018, the Gypsy King was stripped of his Ring Magazine belt after failing to confirm a comeback fight.

Fury had to name an opponent by the close of January 2018 to keep the title but failed to do so and as a result was subsequently stripped of his final honour.
This marked the fifth belt Fury lost after losing the WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO heavyweight titles.
What belts does Francis Ngannou have?
In January 2023, Francis Ngannou was stripped of his UFC heavyweight title.
Ngannou held the UFC heavyweight title for nearly two years before he was stripped of it following his departure from the promotion.
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Francis Ngannou’s last fight in the UFC was against Ciryl Gane back at UFC 270 on January, 23 2022.
The Cameroonian successfully defended his former heavyweight title on the night after winning by unanimous decision.
What belts are on the line for Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou?
Fury’s fight against Ngannou is set to take place on Saturday, October 28 – with the bout located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It will be a 10-round professional fight but Fury’s WBC belt will NOT be on the line.

Exhibition rules will also NOT be in place.
Speaking earlier this year, the Gypsy King’s promoter Frank Warren told talkSPORT: ”There won’t be any belts on the line because the guy is not ranked, but we’re not selling it as that, it’s an event.
“We’re not saying he’s in the ratings and he won’t be in the ratings, it is what it is. It’s a crossover event between two guys from two different disciplines.”
The WBC have, however, put a gimmick “Riyadh Champion” belt up for grabs for the Saudi showdown.
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It will be the first time Ngannou will be in combat action since he left the UFC back in January.
And it will also be the first time boxing fans see the Gypsy King in action since his April 2022 sixth-round TKO on Dillian Whyte. More

UFC icon Francis Ngannou will go head-to-head in a boxing ring with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on Saturday night.The MMA legend is set to face off with the Gypsy King for a 10-round boxing match in Saudi Arabia.

It will be Ngannou’s professional debut in the sport, but he did previously train as a boxer prior to his exceptional MMA career.
The Cameroonian powerhouse has drafted in boxing great Mike Tyson to his camp – but is the Hall of Famer training the former UFC star?
Is Mike Tyson training Francis Ngannou for his fight against Tyson Fury?
Mike Tyson has insisted that he is NOT training Francis Ngannou for his epic showdown with Tyson Fury on Saturday night.
The boxing great is acting as a mentor to the MMA star ahead of the epic crossover bout.

Speaking to GQ, Tyson said: “I’m not a trainer. I’m a coach. A trainer can be bought by anybody. ‘Train this guy. Hey, train this guy,’.
“I’m a coach. I’m loyal to my guy. When he gets beat up, I feel the punches.
“When he’s hitting, knocking out a motherf***r, I feel the victory applause.”
Tyson’s team later explained he doesn’t have an official role in Ngannou’s camp, but said: “He’s been a mentor to Francis throughout the training process, popping in and out of training sessions as time permits for several weeks.”
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The boxing legend has regularly posted videos to Instagram of him helping Ngannou through his training camp.

What did Tyson Fury say about Mike Tyson being in Francis Ngannou’s corner?
Tyson Fury was named after boxing great Mike Tyson.
The Gypsy King was left fuming with the news his idol will be in the opposite corner against him.
Fury, 35, told Sky Sports: “I think that it’s sad, actually.
“The man that I am named after, a legend, has to go against me and then come out as a loser, having lost to a man who was named after him.
“I think that it’s sad and I think that he should be in my corner, not the opposing corner, but business is business and I understand that it’s strictly business.”
But in response, Tyson said to TNT Sports: “This is business, and he understands.”
When is Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou?

Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou will take place on Saturday, October 28.
The bout will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Expect ring-walks to get going from around 10pm UK time.
The fight will be a 10-round professional fi,ght but Fury’s WBC belt will NOT be on the line.
Exhibition rules will NOT be in place. More