For the First Time in History, Lineal Boxing & MMA Champions Will Fight Each Other With a Starting Purse of $18,000,000

On May 16th, 2023, ex-UFC heavyweight world champion, Francis Ngannou, announced a new deal with the PFL (Professional Fighters League).

He was immediately lambasted by fans and fellow fighters for his decision not to re-sign with the UFC, despite being offered one of the biggest contracts in the company's history.

But, it seems as though Francis may have played his cards just right, as he is now set to box the lineal heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury. The fight will take place in Saudi Arabia, on October 28th, 2023.

And, he's earning quite a pretty penny for his professional boxing debut. As reported by bloodyelbow.com,

“Both Francis Ngannou and his manager Marquel Martin have stated that his purse from this upcoming boxing match against Tyson Fury will surpass the total that he would have earned if he had signed with the UFC. Based on the information we have, this would imply that it could earn him at least $18 million.”

Tyson first called out Francis after his knockout win over Dillion Whyte, on April 22, 2023. And, just a few months later, the fight is materializing.

Tyson and Francis come face to face.Photo by@toprankboxing / YouTube

After much speculation of how, when, and if the fight would materialize, as Francis was still negotiating with the UFC at the time of the callout, it will go down as a 10-round professional boxing match (although Tyson's WBC belt will not be on the line).

This will be the first time in history a lineal boxing and MMA world champion will fight. And, the heavyweight bout will go down as the battle of the behemoths.

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