Mike Tyson joins forces with Francis Ngannou for Saudi boxing clash with Tyson Fury

Francis Ngannou will receive some expert guidance for his boxing match against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia later this year – in the form of heavyweight great Mike Tyson.

Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, faces current WBC belt-holder Fury in a 10-round bout on October 28 in Riyadh as part of the capital's "Riyadh Season" event. The clash, a professional fight, is billed as an encounter to crown the “Baddest Man on the Planet”.

On Thursday, organisers confirmed Tyson would indeed be in Ngannou’s corner, with the American saying in a release: “It is no secret I back Ngannou 100 per cent in this face-off of champions. He has one hard punch, and when it lands, it’s game over.

“I am looking forward to working with Ngannou and supporting his transition from the octagon to the boxing ring.”

It remains unclear if Tyson, 57, will contribute to Ngannou’s training camp ahead of the bout against Fury, or if he will simply meet up with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) signee when he arrives in the kingdom.

Like Tyson during his terrifying reign as heavyweight champion between 1986 and 1990, Ngannou possesses serious punching power. The Cameroonian, 36, won 10 of his 14 UFC bouts by knockout or TKO before leaving the promotion in January having not lost the heavyweight title. Ngannou joined the PFL in May.

Excited to get some tips from the best