crossover clash
Tyson Fury confirms he will fight UFC star Francis Ngannou in ‘never-before-seen’ bout despite retiring from boxing
TYSON FURY teased a blockbuster showdown with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou - just moments after suggesting he could retire.
The UFC's first African-born heavyweight champion was ringside for Fury's successful defence of his WBC strap against Dillian Whyte on Saturday night.
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Fury beat Whyte with a perfect uppercut in the sixth round.
The Predator then made his way into the ring moments after the fight, further teasing a transition into boxing.
And the pair quickly began talking up a showdown during a joint interview with ESPN, with Fury saying: "Going to be an explosive fight when it happens."
Ngannou then said: "We're going to find out who the Baddest Motherf***er on the Planet is?"
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Ngannou is currently embroiled in a contract dispute with the UFC brass and has turned down a bumper new deal from the MMA promotion.
The Cameroonian-born Frenchman - whose contract with UFC expires in December - wants the freedom to box in addition to a pay rise.
Ngannou is set to miss the remainder of the year after going under the knife last month to have an ACL reconstruction and an MCL repair.
And he's confident a fight with Fury will materialise next year, telling : "Definitely sometime next year. 2023.
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"That fight will happen!"
"Because by the end of the year, to know exactly [where I stand], we're going to sort it and get settled and ready to go."
He added: "Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou in Africa, that would be the best one. The Rumble in the Jungle 2!"
Fury's American promoter Bob Arum is confident of making the crossover clash.
He told boxing reporter Lance Pugmire: "I don't know what this guy's contract situation is with the UFC.
"Obviously, it's a massive fight and it should be easy to make since both Tyson and [Ngannou] are with ESPN."
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Fury, 33, retained his WBC strap with a brutal sixth-round KO of former sparring partner Whyte.
A picture-perfect uppercut from the former unified heavyweight champion - which was accompanied by a slight shove - brought the curtain down on a historic night at Wembley.
In his first post-fight interview of the night, Fury said: "Dillian Whyte is a warrior.
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"I believe Dillian will be a world champion. I am one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and unfortunately for Dillian Whyte, he had to face me tonight.
"He is as strong as a bull and a heart of the lion but you are not messing with a mediocre heavyweight."
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