Fury and Ngannou both lay claim to ‘baddest’ crown ahead of Riyadh showdown

Tyson Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight boxing champion, and Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, have been ratcheting up the psychological warfare ahead of their showdown on Oct. 28 at Boulevard Hall, Riyadh, that has been dubbed “The Battle of the Baddest.”

In a recent episode of TNT Sports’ “The Face Off,” the two fighters discussed their expectations, mutual respect, and the magnitude of this unique crossover battle.

Here are some of the highlights of the face-to-face between “The Gypsy King” and “The Predator.”

Underdog Ngannou ready to prove himself

Ngannou, known for his incredible strength and knockout power in the MMA world, acknowledges Fury’s supremacy in the boxing arena. Yet, driven by his history of overcoming insurmountable odds, he conveyed his unique brand of self-belief.

Ngannou said: “We all know he’s the best in the business. If you talk about boxing, heavyweight boxing, he’s the man. But I still have confidence in myself because in the past, I’ve always been on the dock and I always prevail where people didn’t expect me (to).

“My point is to go out there and prove that I’m a boxer by boxing the best in the world and beat him. I really believe that everything is possible.”

Fury is cautious but confident

To prepare for the monumental bout, Fury revealed that he had undergone a 12-week training camp — a departure from his usual six-week preparation for previous opponents. He emphasized the need for intense preparation due to Ngannou’s MMA striking skills, which are significantly different from his own.

“I’m giving Francis 100 percent focus because he’s not a boxer, and he’s coming from a different background. I have to be prepared more and that’s why I’m training as hard as I