RIYADH: Francis Ngannou will have the blessing of legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson as he faces Tyson Fury, who holds the title of World Boxing Council heavyweight champion.
The fight is scheduled in the month of October in Saudi Arabia, and Mike Tyson will stand in Ngannou’s corner.
The sports and entertainment festival that is an annual feature in the desert kingdom has the fight planned on October 28.
The current and former fighter also confirmed their partnership in a statement released by Riyadh Season which holds the festival.
Tyson has been very clear and keeps no secret in backing the mixed martial arts player Ngannou 100 percent.
Tyson is looking forward to working with the fighter for his transition from the octagon arena to the boxing ring.
Tyson says Ngannou has a hard punch and when it lands the game is over.
The 36-year-old Ngannou, of Cameroon and French descent, has no professional boxing experience, but he built his repute as a formidable fighter on his way to becoming UFC heavyweight champion.
He held the title till January but had an acrimonious split with the organization’s president Dana White.
Ngannou has won 17 of his 20 professional UFC fights with 12 knockouts.
The fight is an exhibition event and Tyson’s WBC belt will not be online. Ngannou believes having the guidance from Tyson will make this fight a memorable one and it is his best decision.
Tyson Fury last fought in December with Derek Chisora in London. Fury won the fight by technical knockout in the 10th round.
It was a professional boxing match contested between WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, and WBA International heavyweight champion.
However, Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight could not be scheduled owing to a tirade between the two camps.
