Tyson Fury: I'm Gonna Fight Francis Ngannou in Las Vegas Next Year; Will Break All Pay-Per-View Records

Tyson Fury continues to beat the drum for a mega crossover bout.

The WBC heavyweight titlist from Manchester England has spoken repeatedly about fighting UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a boxing bout in the near(ish) future. Ngannou has reciprocated that desire and has expressed his confidence that a fight will eventually happen.

Fury doubled down on his desire to face Ngannou in a recent interview, offering a bit more in the way of concrete details by saying that he expects a fight could materialize by “next March or February.”

“I’m gonna fight Francis Ngannou in Las Vegas next year, next March or February,” Fury told IFL TV.

Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) is preparing for a not-yet-announced heavyweight bout against countryman Dillian Whyte on April 23rd at Wembley Stadium in London; Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) is the mandatory challenger for Fury’s WBC belt. The bout was organized after much disagreement between the two parties. The fight eventually went to a purse bid that was won, in record fashion to the tune of $41,025,000, by Fury’s team of Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions in tandem with Bob Arum of Top Rank Inc. The terms of the financial split favor Fury 80-20.  

Fury said there haven’t been any substantial talks with Ngannou, but he expects that to change after he takes care of his business inside the ring. Fury, apparently, can already hear the cash tills ringing.  

“Not for this year,” Fury said of carrying out preliminary discussions with Ngannou. “But next year we can get some f------ crazy fights.

“[It will be a] very big [fight]. I believe it breaks all pay-per-view records in the United States. Two heavyweights, champions going head to head.”

Ngannou, who is coming off a win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, has been at a stand-off with the UFC over negotiating a new contract. Ngannou has been adamant that a new agreement with the organization would need to include a stipulation that allows him to participate in a boxing match, similar to what UFC star Conor McGregor achieved in his blockbuster fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017.