Tyson Fury comfortable betting favorite to beat Francis Ngannou in Saudi boxing match in October

Undisputed WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury has opened as a massive betting favorite ahead of his return to the squared circle later this year, as he prepares for a professional boxing clash with former UFC heavyweight champion and recent PFL newcomer, Francis Ngannou in October.

Fury, the current undisputed WBC heavyweight titleholder, has been sidelined since he headlined a pay-per-view card back in December of last year in London – landing a knockout win over three-time foe, Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

As for Cameroonian heavyweight Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion has yet to feature in combat sports since he headlined UFC 270 back in January of last year against then-interim heavyweight titleholder, Ciryl Gane, defeating the Frenchman in a unanimous decision success.

And now officially booked to fight Ngannou over the course of 10 rounds in Saudi Arabia in October, Morecambe native, Fury has opened as a massive -1,000 betting favorite to defeat the +600 betting underdog, Ngannou when the pair shared the ring in October in the Middle East.

As well as opening, ongoing, and closing odds on the upcoming Fury and Ngannou battle in Saudi Arabia, a host of prop and outright bets can be made live and in-play throughout the 10 round pairing in October – for however long the long-anticipated pairing lasts. 

Boasting an undefeated 33-0-1 professional record, Fury, the current WBC heavyweight titleholder – who will not be putting his championship belt on the line against Ngannou, landed a sixth round KO win over title challenger, Dillian Whyte prior to his third career win over Chisora.

And beyond a notorious decision win over longstanding world champion, Wladimir Klitschko back in November 2015, Fury would turn in a pair of rematch and subsequent rubber-match trilogy wins over former WBC heavyweight kingpin, Deontay Wilder during bouts in the United States – defeating the renowned power puncher with knockout wins in each of those bouts. 

For Ngannou, revered as one of the most devastating knockout punchers in the history of mixed martial arts competition, landed a slew of knockout finishes en route to a UFC heavyweight win over Stipe Miocic back in 2021 – avenging a prior loss to the Ohio native with a savage second round KO win. 

And ahead of the October boxing clash, Ngannou has employed fellow KO kingpin, former world heavyweight champion and boxing icon, Mike Tyson to help him prepare for his professional boxing debut – with the New Yorker complimenting the Batié native’s ability. 

“He (Francis Ngannou) isn’t a combat novice; he is a world champion,” Mike Tyson said. “He knows how to compete when the bell rings, but the key will be combining his energy and combat skills into his punches and using his agility to move swiftly around the ring, then delivering the knockout blow. We’re here to win.” 

“Bringing MIke Tyson into my camp is one of the best decision I can make to prepare for Tyson Fury in the ring at this year’s Riyadh Season,” Francis Ngannou explained. “Mike Tyson is an idol of mine in the sport. His experience and boxing IQ will be important to honing my technique under his guidance to win this superfight.”