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      Awkward moment Francis Ngannou BLANKS Eminem as rap superstar rocks up in Riyadh for Tyson Fury megafight

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU awkwardly almost blanked Eminem as the rap superstar rocked up in Riyadh for the MMA great’s megafight with Tyson Fury.The ex-UFC champion collides with the WBC heavyweight title holder in a crossover boxing bout in Saudi Arabia tonight.
      Francis Ngannou awkwardly blanked Eminem in Riyadh last nightCredit: TNT Boxing
      The fighter’s coach pointed out the rap star but he still had to double takeCredit: TNT Boxing
      Ngannou’s expression then quickly changed as he embraced EminemCredit: TNT Boxing
      The two megastars then posed together for a snap at the Riyadh bashCredit: TNT Boxing
      The 35-year-old Gypsy King’s belt will not be contested but he is putting his undefeated record on the line in the much-maligned showdown.
      His Cameroon-born opponent, who left UFC last year and has now signed with fellow MMA promotion Professional Fighters League, has been trained by boxing legend “Iron” Mike Tyson for the clash in Las Vegas.
      Both stars are now in the Middle East and they came face-to-face on Thursday for what has been billed as the Battle of the Baddest.
      Stars from all over the world have flown in for the bout, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the list of big names.
      READ MORE ON SPORT
      Many of the celebrities attended a Gala dinner at the St Regis Hotel last night, with the ex-Manchester United ace joined by his namesake, former Brazilian international Ronaldo at the event.
      There was also another huge megastar in attendance, none other than Eminem.
      However, Ngannou had to double take after initially ignoring the American rapper.
      A clip emerged on social media from yesterday’s bash that showed “The Predator” walking past Eminem before his coach, Dewey Cooper, grabbed Ngannou’s attention.
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      TYSON FURY VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER CLASH
      He appeared to say in the clip: “Em! That’s Eminem.”
      Ngannou’s team then pointed out Eminem to him, but the grappler still appeared oblivious until he took a second look and then his expression hilariously changed as they shared an embrace and later posed for a snap.
      Meanwhile, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also made an appearance on the red carpet.
      Mike Tyson also joined the A-listers, who would later all pose with the two fighters for a huge group photo together with a boxing glove on one hand. More

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      TNT Sports forced to apologise twice for Tyson Fury during X-rated Francis Ngannou weigh-in

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      TNT SPORTS were forced to apologise TWICE in quick succession as Tyson Fury used foul language moments after his final face-off with Francis Ngannou.Gypsy King Fury welcomes the former UFC heavyweight champion to the boxing world in a controversial crossover clash on Saturday night.
      Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou throw down in a controversial crossover clash on SaturdayCredit: REUTERS
      The pair took part in a heated final face-off after the weigh-insCredit: TOP RANK
      TNT Sports were forced to apologise twice after Fury dropped two swear words in quick successionCredit: TNT SPORTS
      The pair took part in a heated face-off after weighing in for their Saudi showdown, with Fury sticking his noggin on Ngannou’s forehead.
      The WBC heavyweight king swiftly conducted an interview with TNT Sports after the final face-off.
      And he dropped two expletives during the chat after being asked about fighting Oleksandr Usyk by former Love Island star and TNT presenter Josh Denzel.
      He said: “We’re talking about Francis Ngannou tomorrow night And I’mma knock a motherf***er out.
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      “And then, I’m gonna take a week off boxing, let me have some time with my family and then I’m come and take on a little guy and knock him out.”
      Denzel promptly said: “We apologise for the language for those viewers out there.”

      It wasn’t long, however, before Fury was at it again.
      “Yes, I need to apologise,” Fury said.” If there’s anybody out there who don’t like my language – get the f**k out that door.”
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      Fury’s antics forced another swift apology from Denzel, who said: “I apologise again on behalf of Tyson Fury.
      ” I think we’re going to let you go, brother.”
      Fury weighed in a massive 19st 11lbs for his mammoth clash with Francis Ngannou.
      The 35-year-old was 19st 2lbs for his merciful December slapping of old mate Derek Chisora in December.
      And he has packed on half a stone to be a juggernaut of a fighter in Saudi Arabia, in the cross-over bout that should tee-up the undisputed decider with Oleksandr Usyk in December.
      Fury looked far heavier and unconditioned at the Battle of the Baddest launch press conference in September when he whipped off his top and looked hefty.
      At Wednesday’s media workout he did a proper session, got a sweat on in the Riyadh heat but never looked out of breath as he played with crowd.

      TYSON FURY VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER CLASH
      Ngannou – who tipped the Friday scales at 19st 4lbs –  looked like a novice and even showed signs of fatigue after just a few minutes of light training.
      But the 6ft 9in Morecambe behemoth reckons he’s the fittest giant in history and even fancies a return to the old 15-format some of his heroes enjoyed during boxing’s golden age.
      “Never let this body fool you,” he told SunSport.
      “I would love to put it back to 15-round fights, that would suit me even more, 15-round fights, unbelievable.
      “So this is the body of probably the fittest heavyweight there’s ever been. I don’t believe there’s ever been anyone more fit than me.
      “Even in tough, gruelling hard fights, I can get knockouts in the late rounds. I’ve proved it time and time again.
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      “So, never be fooled by a body and if you’re somebody out there that’s got a bit of fat belly like me, own it.
      “Because I represent all the dad bods and all the fat people around the world. I am your hero, I am for you.”
      THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Anthony Joshua called out by Francis Ngannou as ex-UFC champion targets more boxing fights after Tyson Fury

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has called out Anthony Joshua as he looks ahead to more boxing fights after facing Tyson Fury. The ex-UFC champion makes his ring debut on Saturday in Saudi Arabia against Fury.
      Anthony Joshua has been called out by Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
      Ngannou ahead of his fight with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
      Ngannou walked out on the UFC to pursue boxing and held talks to fight Deontay Wilder, 38, and Joshua, 34.
      Both remain possible in the future as the Cameroonian looks set for a stint in boxing having predicted he will beat Fury then face him against in a rematch.
      Ngannou told Sky Sports: “I think if I am victorious we are going to run it back, for sure. Then maybe see Anthony Joshua after.”
      Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn met with the MMA star to discuss a potential bout with AJ.
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      But Ngannou, 37, instead chose to finalise a deal with WBC champ Fury, 35.
      Now Hearn has talked down the crossover clash, which may KO any shot of Joshua facing the boxing newcomer.
      He told Boxing Social: “If it’s fought at any kind of pace, I don’t feel like Francis Ngannou can physically do more than four, five rounds.
      “I don’t mean that disrespectfully. They’re not used to that kind of fighting. I know MMA is still high intensity, but trust me, you’ll see.
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      “Fury may play with him and just hold him up. If Fury wants to, he’ll stop him in the first round, no problem.
      “If not, he’ll school him, get him to gas out and stop him on his feet.”
      Hearn added: “He can’t win a round. He can’t hurt him.
      “He could actually put his chin out and let Ngannou hit him clean and it wouldn’t bother him, honestly. They’re not strikers like boxers.”
      Fury facing off with NgannouCredit: Reuters More

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      Tyson Fury reveals shockingly low fight purse he got for Wladimir Klitschko win

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      TYSON FURY has spoken out to reveal the shockingly low fight purse he made against Wladimir Klitschko. Fury stunned Klitshcko in 2015 to win the unified world titles and dethroned the heavyweight division’s long-standing ruler.
      Tyson Fury outboxed Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win the unified belts
      And the win – broadcast on pay-per-view worldwide – is believed to have earned the Gypsy King £4million overall.
      But Fury appeared to debunk that by claiming he actually only made $600,000 (£490,000).
      The reigning WBC champion returns this Saturday in a crossover clash against ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou.
      And Ngannou made only $600,000 for his final UFC fight, despite earning more after PPV bonuses were totted up.
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      But Fury actually defended the purse and compared it to the sum he made against Klitschko.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “To make $600k for a fight for the heavyweight championship is about what I got paid to fight Klitschko.
      “It’s not that low, I think to win the heavyweight championship and go on and defend it you’ve got to take on some big names and create a name and fan following.
      “Six-hundred thousand dollars is his biggest purse and $600,000 is a hell of a lot of money.
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      “But not for the heavyweight champion of the world, it’s not that much. If I was to try and earn $600,000 in a normal nine-to-five job, it would probably take me about 452 years.
      “But I think everybody else in sport knows that after winning the UFC heavyweight championship to go on and box any heavyweight in the top ten you’re probably going to make a whole lot more than $600,000 which is one thing to point out.”
      Ngannou, 37, walked out on the UFC to pursue a lucrative boxing switch and it looks to have paid off as he is set to receive £8m.
      Meanwhile Fury, 35, is in line to make £65m which will be his highest-ever payday, beating the £26m earned for his 2022 KO over Dillian Whyte, 35.
      Fury facing off with Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY More

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      Tyson Fury will more than DOUBLE his biggest-ever payday vs Francis Ngannou.. and there’s another £100MILLION to come

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      TYSON FURY is set for his biggest-ever boxing payday against Francis Ngannou.The Gypsy King returns on Saturday in Riyadh for a huge crossover clash against ex-UFC champion Ngannou.
      Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou facing offCredit: Reuters

      TYSON FURY VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER CLASH
      It acts as the first in a three-fight deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
      Fury boasted about signing a package which blows Cristiano Ronaldo’s £62million-a-year Al-Nassr contract out of the water.
      He described it as “the biggest boxing deal ever” and his US promoter Bob Arum claimed it was worth $200MILLION (£165m).
      The hat-trick of bouts start against Ngannou and end with a double header over Usyk.
      READ MORE ON TYSON FURY
      SunSport understands Fury will make £65m for his boxing debut in the Middle East.
      It surpasses his highest career payday, believed to be around £26m for his knockout over Dillian Whyte, 35, in April 2022.
      Meanwhile, Ngannou, 37, is set to take home £8m having walked out on the UFC to pursue the lucrative boxing switch.
      Fury, 35, has already signed an agreement with Usyk, 36, to meet in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification.
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      From the £165m Arum announced Fury will make, £100m of that is set to come against the Ukrainian.
      The deal includes a rematch meaning the WBC champion is line for a pair of £50m paydays for the historic bouts.
      Despite the mass fortunes coming Fury’s way, he would have to go some way to topping Floyd Mayweather’s earnings.
      Mayweather banked close to £600m for his wins over Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor.
      He topped Forbes’ sporting rich list of the decade in 2019 with £706MILLION made over his legendary career.
      Floyd Mayweather is boxing’s highest-ever earner More

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      Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou: UK start time, live stream, TV channel, ring-walks, undercard for huge fight THIS WEEKEND

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      TYSON FURY will return to the ring to face UFC legend Francis Ngannou in a historic crossover fight tomorrow night.The WBC champion and the MMA star have been going back and forth with one another on social media for the best part of two years.

      TYSON FURY VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER CLASH
      Fury and Ngannou will now take to the ring to end their long-standing online feud.
      A shock showdown between the pair was mooted after Ngannou entered the ring and faced off with Fury following the Gypsy King’s knockout win against Dillian Whyte at Wembley back over a year ago.
      The fight went cold as Ngannou was still contracted to UFC and MMA mogul Dana White refused to entertain the bout.
      BETTING SPECIAL – GET FURY TO WIN AT HUGE 30/1
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      But now the 37-year-old walked out on the UFC at the start of the year and instead signed for rivals The Professional Fighters League.
      The PFL gave Ngannou the green light to make his dream switch to boxing.
      And it paved the way for him to climb right to the top of the tree to challenge the lineal champion Fury.
      A win for Ngannou would be among the sport’s greatest shocks while Fury would suffer a disastrious defeat.
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      After all, he’s already lined himself up a huge fight against Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight titles.
      So legacies and reputations are on the line this Saturday in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
      Who are their trainers?
      Fury linked up with Sugarhill Steward – nephew to the legendary Emanuel – before his 2020 rematch with Deontay Wilder.
      The pair have since won all four of their bouts together, including two wins over Wilder, with all of the victories coming by stoppage.
      Ngannou’s striking coach has long been former kickboxer Dewey Cooper, who will be in his corner against Fury.
      As will his head MMA trainer Eric Nicksick and boxing icon Mike Tyson, who has mentored Ngannou throughout his camp.
      Mike Tyson has been coaching Francis NgannouCredit: AFP
      What belts are on the line?
      As Ngannou is making his professional boxing debut – and therefore not ranked by the WBC – he cannot challenge for Fury’s belt.
      But the WBC are involved in the spectacle showdown and have introduced a “Riyadh Champion” belt.
      Fury’s brother Tommy won a similar “Diriyah Belt” in February following his win over Jake Paul.
      The Gypsy King is the lineal champion, so a win for Ngannou means he would be deemed the mythical champ.
      Fury’s WBC world title will not be on the line against NgannouCredit: Reuters
      What happened in Fury’s last fight?
      Fury suffered frustration last year as he failed to get fights with Anthony Joshua or Usyk over the line.
      So he had to settle with an unwanted trilogy bout with Derek Chisora, who he had twice stopped in the past.
      The trilogy at Spurs’ 62,000-seater was as one-sided as it could be with Fury winning in ten rounds.
      It proved to be nothing more than a runout for Fury, who again set his sights on Usyk.
      Fury stopped Derek Chisora in ten rounds of their trilogyCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      What happened in Ngannou’s last fight?
      Ngannou left the UFC after a five-round decision win over Frenchman Ciryl Gane in California.
      And he was expected to meet Jon Jones in a heavyweight super-fight.
      But talks between Ngannou and the UFC broke down amid a disagreement in terms.
      So it allowed the Cameroonian to cross over to the boxing ring.
      Ngannou beat Ciryl Gane in his final UFC fightCredit: Getty
      How much will they make?
      Tyson and Francis Ngannou are reportedly set to receive a lucrative paycheck after their highly-anticipated fight.
      According to Sport Bible, Ngannou will earn a staggering £6million for this bout.
      That is 10 times more than what the 37-year-old made in his last UFC fight in 2022 before he quit Dana White’s promotion.
      Fury’s earnings haven’t been confirmed yet but it is safe to imagine he will pocket even more from the oil rich nation.
      The Mancunian made $5m (£4m) as a base purse for his third fight against Deontay Wilder two years ago.
      When is Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou?

      Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou will take place this weekend on Saturday, October 28.
      The bout will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
      Expect ring-walks to get going from around 10.45pm UK time.
      The fight will be a 10-round professional fight but Fury’s WBC belt will NOT be on the line.
      Exhibition rules will NOT be in place.

      What channel is Fury vs Ngannou on and can it be live streamed?

      Fury’s clash with Ngannou has been confirmed to be shown live on TNT Sports Box Office in the UK.
      TNT Sports have confirmed that the PPV price will cost fans £21.95 which is cheaper than Tommy Fury’s win against KSI.
      You can live stream the action from the TNT Sports Box Office app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Fury vs Ngannou full card
      Perhaps the tastiest fight on the undercard is between Davie Adeleye and Fabio Wardley.
      The pair came to blows at the Fury vs Ngannou press conference last month and Wardley was left bloodied.
      Full card below (subject to change):

      Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou
      Fabio Wardley vs. David Adeleye
      Joseph Parker vs. Simon Kean
      Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Junior Anthony Wright
      Moses Itauma vs. Istvan Bernath
      Carlos Takam vs. Martin Bakole
      Jack McGann vs. Alcibiade Duran Galvan

      What’s been said?
      Fury said after he beat Whyte in 2022: “Big Francis Ngannou is here today.
      “He’s on my hit list in an exhibition fight, however he wants it: in a cage, in a boxing ring, boxing gloves, UFC gloves, we can make it happen. I think everyone wants to see it.
      “He’s a monster of a guy, I’m a monster of a guy, so it will be a clash of the titans for sure.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Ngannou has said: “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.”
      Fury and Ngannou facing off More

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      Conor McGregor and Cristiano Ronaldo to rub shoulders again as UFC star says he’ll attend Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou

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      CONOR MCGREGOR is set to be reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia this weekend.The eyes of the sporting world will be firmly fixed on Riyadh on Saturday night when WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury takes on Francis Ngannou in a controversial crossover clash.
      Tyson Fury throws down with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Saturday nightCredit: GETTY
      Footie icon Cristiano Ronaldo will be in attendance to watch pal Ngannou in actionCredit: TWITTER@FRANCISNGANNOU
      UFC superstar Conor McGregor will also be in attendance for the Riyadh rumbleCredit: PA
      A slew of celebs will be in attendance for the Saudi showdown – including Al-Nassr and Portugal star Ronaldo.
      And the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be joined by UFC poster boy McGregor, who announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he’s jetting over to the Kingdom today to attend the fight.
      He wrote: “Just getting on to announce I will be heading to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia early AM tomorrow for the big heavyweight blockbuster fight between boxer Tyson Fury and mixed martial artist Francis Ngannou – crossover boxing.
      “MMA ventures over to boxing once again, and this time in the Kingdom and this time with the heavyweights.
      READ MORE ON CRISTIANO RONALDO
      “So excited to be there, can’t wait to touch down in Saudi Arabia, see what the country has to offer.
      “And I appreciate the invite sincerely. I’m looking forward to it so much.”
      Ronaldo’s attendance at the fight was revealed on Thursday by former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou on X.
      Alongside pictures of himself and Ronaldo after Al-Nassr’s 4-3 win over Al-Duhail earlier this week, he wrote: “Great to see you this week my brother @Cristiano.
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      “And thank you for inviting me and my family out to @AlNassrFC game. See you Saturday #FuryNgannou.”
      McGregor and Ronaldo, 35 and 38 respectively, are no strangers to one another, having met in the summer of 2016.
      Fan favourite Ronaldo dropped in on the Irishman’s 2016 training camp for his UFC 202 rematch with Nate Diaz.
      MMA man-mountain Ngannou will look to go one better than McGregor did in his 2017 crossover clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr and pull off one of the great sporting upsets and hand Fury his first professional loss.
      And The Notorious is refusing to rule out his chances of shocking the world in the desert dust-up.
      He said: “I’d like to talk about the bout.
      “Great bout, interesting bout. Francis Ngannou for me is more of a kickboxer/boxer than he is a mixed martial artist, in my opinion.
      Conor McGregor is set for a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo at the fightCredit: THE MAC LIFE
      The pair met one another in the summer of 2016 in Las VegasCredit: INSTAGRAM@CRISTIANO
      “You start throwing in grappling with Francis, it’s never good for him.
      “He has a striker’s mentality. He has a tall ask with Tyson Fury, but any man can land a shot.
      “I’m excited to see it unfold. Tyson looks great in the build-up, fast, light, elusive.
      “It could be a seriously stellar performance from Tyson Fury here.
      “What’s the variables in this? The Mike Tyson variable is very interesting in Francis Ngannou’s corner.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Francis has power, Francis has big power.
      “With that power, anything can happen. I don’t think Tyson’s going to want to let Francis test his power on him.” More

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      Tyson Fury ‘unhappy’ with Oleksandr Usyk fight announcement and warns ‘that’s how people get knocked out’

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      TYSON FURY is “unhappy” with the announcement of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk and warned: “That’s how people get knocked out.”Fury returns on Saturday in a crossover clash against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
      Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury have signed to fightCredit: Getty
      But before the boxing and MMA stars even shared the ring, it was revealed an undisputed title decider with Usyk has been agreed.
      Fury was left unimpressed that his next fight had been announced before his upcoming one – as that is how accidents happen.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “It wasn’t my choice.
      “I would never in a million years do that, but the people who are putting these fights on, who are paying the money, they’re in control. They’re the promoters of the event.
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      “So, the paymaster does what the paymaster wants, basically. But if it was up to me, I would have never, ever, ever done that, ever.
      “Because I never count chickens before they hatch, ever. They should never announce fights before the first one happens, because that’s how people get knocked out.
      “But I’m not even looking at the next fight. I’m only concentrating on Francis. If it means breaking these two hands and getting a cut right through [my eyebrow] to win, I will do it.
      “Don’t worry about that. Nothing else matters, only Saturday night.”
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      Fury, 35, and Usyk, 36, have signed for what will be the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification.
      And promoters have eyed a December 23 date, just eight weeks after Fury’s fight with Ngannou, 37, has been wrapped up.
      But he said: “I wasn’t happy at first, for them to announce it, but there was a lot going on in the background.
      “For me, I don’t concentrate on any other fight other than Saturday night.
      “What happens in the future stays in the future. I’m living for today and this moment.
      “My moment now is to fight Francis for the ‘baddest man on the planet’ title, and when I’ve won that, only after I’ve won that, I won’t even think about my next [fight] until I’ve had a week off and spent some time with my family. I’ve been in camp 12 weeks.”
      Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou ahead of their crossover clashCredit: Reuters More