Two fight sports activities titans are set to collide within the boxing ring on Saturday when WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury battles former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The bout options the 2 baddest males on the earth of their sport, including an additional one thing particular to the fixed parade of “crossover boxing” occasions.

Fury has by no means tasted defeat as an expert and has met different large punches, together with three fights with Deontay Wilder during which Wilder scored knockdowns however couldn’t maintain Fury on the canvas. Fury additionally is ready to face WBA, WBO and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk with a focused date of Dec. 23, which provides a bit of additional intrigue to the Ngannou combat as any harm or minimize might set Fury again from his pursuit of turning into the primary undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt period.

Ngannou defeated Stipe Miocic in March 2021 to win the UFC heavyweight championship. He defended the title with a choice over Ciryl Gane the next January after which parted methods with the UFC amid a bitter spherical of contract negotiations. One of the sticking factors in these negotiations was Ngannou’s need to take an opportunity within the boxing ring.

“This is a dream come true. And I remember four years ago, when I first met Mike Tyson, my only request was for him to be in my corner if I fight Tyson Fury,” Ngannou stated on the last press convention this week. “People thought I used to be shedding it. They thought I used to be loopy. They thought it will by no means occur. But right here we’re. The combat is occurring. So, I’m dwelling a dream. This has all the time been my dream. It wasn’t straightforward, however we’re right here.

“I want to thank Tyson Fury for taking the fight and taking this risk because there is a lot of risk here for him. He might go to sleep on Saturday night. But I appreciate his courage, and I thank him.”

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The undercard actually would not do a lot for informal followers checking in for the spectacle that’s anticipated in the primary occasion. But the fights to go off earlier than Fury and Ngannou hit the ring are all heavyweight contests with just a few names hardcore followers may acknowledge. Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye are set because the chief assist bout for the primary occasion. Plus, former WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker is again in motion when he takes on Simon Kean. And veteran Carlos Takam hits the ring as soon as extra when he battles with Martin Bakole.

With a lot taking place on Saturday evening, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the complete combat card with the newest odds earlier than we get to our employees predictions and picks for the PPV portion of the festivities.

Fury vs. Ngannou viewing data

• Date: Oct. 28 | Start time: 2 p.m. ET (essential occasion round 5 p.m. ET)
• Location: Boulevard Hall — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• How to observe: ESPN+ PPV

Fury vs. Ngannou card, odds

• Tyson Fury -1400 vs. Francis Ngannou +750, heavyweights
• Fabio Wardley -310 vs. David Adeleye +230, heavyweights
• Joseph Parker -1200 vs. Simon Kean +600, heavyweights
• Martin Bakole -750 vs. Carlos Takam +475, heavyweights

Predictions and skilled picks

Brian Campbell, author and host of “Morning Kombat”: Inevitably, this combat will turn into the ability mismatch it is anticipated to be however not with out Fury utilizing his measurement with a view to drive Ngannou to hold his weight in hopes of a late knockout. The downside stays that Ngannou, who took a beating for the ultimate 4 rounds of his first UFC title combat towards Stipe Miocic in 2019, is not precisely straightforward to complete. Although the percentages do not favor this combat going the gap, the chance stays, particularly if Ngannou can show to be extra harmful than anticipated. Either method, count on this to be one-way site visitors in favor of Fury. Fury by way of UD

Brent Brookhouse, employees author: There’s no actual query about who wins right here. Outside of the proverbial “puncher’s chance” there isn’t any actual path to victory for Ngannou. And even that likelihood is diminished considerably if you do not forget that Fury has been caught clear and dropped a number of instances by Wilder, one of many hardest punchers pound-for-pound in boxing historical past. Ngannou must land a bomb that does extra harm to Fury than Wilder, a world champion boxer, was capable of. Maybe Ngannou can land that bomb and perhaps Fury’s chin has diminished some. But most likely not. Also, Fury has super protection and head motion, which is able to trigger additional issues for Ngannou connecting with a fight-ending shot. All credit score to Ngannou for taking the prospect to separate from the UFC and chase down an enormous payday nevertheless it’s exhausting to see how the top outcome goes his method. Before the Usyk combat was signed, I’d have anticipated Fury to “play the game” and drag Ngannou alongside a bit. There’s merely an excessive amount of danger for Fury to mess around now and presumably derail the huge bout to crown an undisputed champion. Fury in lower than 4 rounds. Fury by way of TKO3

Shakiel Mahjouri, employees author: This combat is a cash seize, however that does not imply that Ngannou and his staff aren’t getting ready to shock the world. Ngannou’s energy is a cheat code however even giving him a puncher’s likelihood is beneficiant. The former UFC heavyweight champion makes his boxing debut towards arguably one of the best heavyweight boxer alive. Fury is vastly extra skilled and technically sound. Even worse, Fury has nearly each bodily benefit. The WBC heavyweight champ is taller, longer, youthful and wields superior stamina. The chaotic gremlin inside me would love nothing greater than an Ngannou knockout, however I see Fury placing him away by Round 6. Fury by way of TKO6

Brandon Wise, senior editor: The math round this match is fairly apparent. I respect Francis Ngannou and his story to succeed in this sort of success and riches in his profession from the place he started. But it does really feel like that is checking off a bucket-list merchandise greater than Ngannou considering he has any likelihood of pulling the upset. He has been method too chummy with Fury all week, seeming to know what the rating will probably be when the combat begins. I count on Fury to maintain the gap as a lot as attainable and keep away from any severe danger whereas Ngannou struggles to search out him and his extremely elusive protection. Ngannou will attempt to land his highly effective proper hand, however will wrestle to land a lot of something for so long as this lasts. Given that Fury has his unification with Usyk on the books, count on the “Gypsy King” to attempt to step on the throttle within the center rounds and attempt to finish issues earlier than some silliness might play out. Fury by way of TKO8

Who wins Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury, and which prop is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see Peter Kahn’s best bets for Saturday, all from the boxing specialist who has netted his followers a revenue of almost $4,000, and discover out.