By Mark Eisner: Tyson Fury might be trying to show again the decided novice Francis Ngannou tonight in a ten spherical crossover boxing match between an ex-MMA champion going up towards what many view because the #1 heavyweight within the division at Boulevard Corridor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The occasion begins at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT. It prices $79.99.
We’ll be giving dwell boxing updates beneath of tonight’s motion.
Heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma (6-0, 4 KOs) made fast work of Istvan Bernath (10-2, 8 KOs), stopping him within the first spherical. The 18-year-old Itauma dropped the Hungarian Bernath in with a headshot. After Bernath obtained again up, Itauma unloaded on him with a barrage of punches, leading to referee John Latham stepping in to halt it. The time of the stoppage was at 1:53 of spherical one.
In a predictable end result, heavyweight contender Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) stopped 42-year-old world title challenger Carlos Takam (40-8-1, 28 KOs) within the fourth spherical of a scheduled ten spherical contest. Referee Lee Emery halted the competition at 2:15 of the fourth after the chunky 299-lb Bakole damage Takam with a few arduous physique pictures adopted by a coup de grace proper to the top. It’s unclear what weight loss program Bakole was on for this struggle as a result of he’s placed on a variety of dimension round his midsection. Was it the Tyson all-you-can-eats weight loss program plan Bakole was on to pack on the kilos? Shifting ahead, it could be good to see Bakole step it as much as begin preventing high quality opposition earlier than he ages out and winds up in the identical place that Takam is in. The promoters for this card ought to have matched Bakole towards Arlanbek Makhmudov fairly than Takam, however there may very well be some fear that Martin would get came upon once more like we noticed when he misplaced to Michael Hunter. Bakole is an efficient fundamental heavyweight, however you need to query whether or not he’ll go anyplace, given the lackluster opposition he’s been preventing since his loss to Hunter. We’ve heard quite a bit about how nice Bakole does in sparring, however what’s the purpose if he by no means fights anybody good?
Junior middleweight Jack McGann (9-0-1, 6 KOs) saved his unbeaten report intact with a second spherical knockout of a scheduled eight spherical struggle towards Alcibiade Duran (12-4, 9 KOs).
Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) is the pure favourite on this celebrity-like match, because the 37-year-old Ngannou has by no means laced up a pair of gloves earlier than professionally, and his expertise in MMA is irrelevant as a result of it’s a far totally different sport.
Undercard
Fabio Wardley vs. David AdeleyeJoseph Parker vs. Simon KeanArslanbek Makhmudov vs. Junior Anthony WrightMoses Itauma vs. Istvan BernathCarlos Takam vs. Martin BakoleJack McGann vs. Alcibiade Duran Galvan
“Yeah, we’ve seen this week, the staging, the spectacle, it’s going to be unbelievable,” stated Eddie Hearn to the Matchroom Boxing website, discussing tonight’s Fury vs. Ngannou ‘The Battle of the Baddest’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“I’ve made my feedback on the struggle. I don’t count on it to be aggressive within the slightest. You’ve obtained a man [Fury] who’s #1 within the heavyweight division preventing a man [37-year-old Ngannou] who has by no means had knowledgeable boxing struggle earlier than.
“However I perceive it’s a world heavyweight champion towards the [former] UFC heavyweight champion and a few good fights on the undercard as nicely.
“I count on the spectacle to be unbelievable. I count on Tyson Fury to win or do no matter he desires within the struggle, however every time you might have a struggle of that magnitude and the best way that Saudi Arabia promotes the occasion and builds these occasions in Riyadh season, it’s going to be a spectacle to observe.
“I’ve seen that Tyson has gotten actually aggressive about that date now, which in all probability makes me really feel that Usyk is just not prepared for that date, and Tyson is aware of it. I don’t know. There’s an enormous sum of money at stake for that struggle. I feel they’ll go on the date that they’re informed to go on. So, I don’t assume Usyk might be 100% prepared for that date.
“I don’t assume he’s began full camp but. It’s eight weeks on Saturday, however once more, the chance, the cash. Possibly they’ll dive straight in. We’ll see on Saturday evening within the ring or possibly even on Monday morning,” stated Hearn.
