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Anthony Gharib, ESPN
The mega fight between Tyson Fury, the WBC and lineal heavyweight champion, and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is finally here, taking place on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fury’s belt, which he retained last December after defeating Derek Chisora, will not be on the line in the fight. Ngannou makes his boxing debut after leaving the UFC earlier this year due to contract disputes. Ngannou signed with the PFL in May on a contract that allows him to also compete in boxing.
Celebrities flocked to Saudi Arabia to watch the battle between two of the baddest heavyweights in the world.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who helped Ngannou prepare for this fight, will be in Ngannou’s corner. Past and present UFC fighters came out too, including Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya and Chuck Liddell, plus boxing glory such as Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield and Larry Holmes. Soccer luminaries were also in attendance, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays club soccer in Saudi Arabia, Rio Ferdinand, Luis Figo and Brazil’s legend Ronaldo.
Here are some of the top names that were in attendance for Fury vs. Ngannou.
🐻 @KanyeWest pulled up to #FuryNgannou#BattleOfTheBaddest | https://t.co/2heUqaYy86 pic.twitter.com/gJm78O28jm
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 28, 2023
The moment @francis_ngannou realizes it’s the real Slim Shady😅
The stars are out for #FuryNgannou
🎥: @tntsportboxing/IG pic.twitter.com/qaS34807FT
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 28, 2023
An icon in ALL of combat sports 🐐@MikeTyson | #FuryNgannou | #BattleOfTheBaddest pic.twitter.com/rzMxJElppX
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 28, 2023
.@StyleBender pays a final visit to @Francis_Ngannou 🤝#FuryNgannou | #BattleOfTheBaddest | https://t.co/2heUqaYy86 pic.twitter.com/bFVYnFJeac
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 28, 2023
My guy is in the building! 👊🏽❤️#Riyadhseason #BattleOfTheBaddest pic.twitter.com/goNhGsmOQz
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 28, 2023
The Boys are in the house 🔥✅🇸🇦@LuisFigo @Ronaldo @TheNotoriousMMA #RiyadhSeason@Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/kx9oDLMXkQ
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 28, 2023
Some of combat sports’ finest are getting ready for #FuryNgannou 🙌 pic.twitter.com/sJQ4jD8p6v
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) October 28, 2023
Lil Baby performed ahead of the main event for #FuryNgannou 🎤 @ESPNRingside pic.twitter.com/9zPZ9Jhylp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 28, 2023
.@Usykaa has a close eye tonight 👀#FuryNgannou | #BattleOfTheBaddest | https://t.co/2heUqaYy86 pic.twitter.com/XnxdzGr6ER
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 28, 2023
Source: www.espn.com