Moments after announcing that his sixth round KO of countryman Dillian Whyte in front of 94,000 fans at Wembley will be his last professional boxing bout, “The Gypsy King” Tyson Fury sprung another surprise.
AS IT HAPPENED: Fury dominates Whyte with brutal uppercut
READ MORE: Fury reiterates plans to retire
READ MORE: ‘Gypsy King’ remains man of the people despite $200m fortune
With at least another two big fights in his pro boxing career on the horizon, against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua and another Wembley fight with Joshua, there’s no shortage of options for Fury to add to his $200 million fortune.
Yet an exhibition bout with the UFC’s Francis Ngannou is gaining steam, so much so, the WBC champion appeared in the ring with the UFC heavyweight champion on the ESPN broadcast after the win.
“I’m the boxing heavyweight champion, (he’s the) UFC heavyweight champion, he’s in great shape, look at the muscles on him,” Fury said after calling Ngannou over to speak with Bernardo Osuna of ESPN.
Ngannou then added: “We’re going to find out who the baddest motherf—er on the planet is”.
Apparently the bout won’t be a straight boxing fight, but more of a combination of MMA rules and boxing, with MMA gloves in a boxing ring with no weight limits.
Ngannou is chasing a boxing payday after a publicised spat with the UFC over his contract.
“This is going to be one very special fight, like never before seen in the history of our sport. We’re not talking two light guys, 140 pounds,” Fury said.
“I’m 270 (122kgs), he’s 270 pounds, it’s going to be an explosive fight when it happens.”
Ngannou said; “It’s going to be a hybrid fight with different type of rules, MMA gloves in the (boxing) ring.
“Kind of, like, mix it up, do something a little different.”
The fight is expected to take place in 2023 with Ngannou still recovering from surgery on a torn MCL and damaged ACL he suffered ahead of his fight against Cyril Gane.
Speaking at his post-fight press conference, Fury clarified his earlier comments in the ring regarding retirement, saying he’s retired from professional boxing but will entertain exhibition bouts in a bid to make “some of that (Floyd) Mayweather money”.
“I’m happy with my decision. I think it’s final. I will not rule out exhibitions, get some of that Floyd Mayweather money. Francis Ngannou was here, he can get it, in a cage or a boxing ring.”
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