On October 28th, Tyson Fury will fight Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia and those who want to see it live will pay a hefty. Via a press release today, the pay-per-view which will see the former MMA champion, Ngannou, making his professional debut is priced at $79.99. As boxing fans, it is not surprising to get a pay-per-view, but the possibility of this bout being one of the best heavyweight boxers ever against a novice in boxing lingers around the price point. It might not play out that way, but the fact that it could give pause.
Fury, the reigning WBC and lineal heavyweight boxing champion, will be making his first fight of 2023. It was announced earlier this year that Fury could face the three-belt heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk as soon as December 23rd, or in January for the undisputed heavyweight title. Yes - that was announced prior to this pay-per-view fight.
What this will be will more than likely be spectacle over sport. As Queensberry, Top Rank, and GIMIK Fight Promotions, and will be broadcast live on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV, at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT for the live broadcast.
The broadcast will be as much about vanity, wealth, and celebrity as it is about sport. This is entertainment and those consuming it will be watching it more for the novelty than the theatre of the unexpected.
For purists, there is something to take note of as the undercard is labeled as an "all-heavyweight bonanza." These bouts include British undefeated heavyweights Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye facing each other along with former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker fighting Simon Kean, and prospect Moses Itauma, the UK's 18-year-old heavyweight talent.
