RIYADH: Mike Tyson will be training Francis Ngannou and be present in his corner for his fight against Tyson Fury on Oct. 28 in Riyadh.
The news was announced on Thursday on the Instagram page of Turki Al-Sheikh, one of the organizers of the event.
It makes for a fearsome partnership as Tyson teams up with Ngannou, arguably the heaviest hitter in combat sports today.
Tyson said: “It is no secret I back Ngannou 100 percent in this face-off of champions. He has one hard punch, and when it lands, it’s game over.
“I am looking forward to working with Ngannou and supporting his transition from the octagon to the boxing ring.
“He isn’t a combat novice; he is a world champion. 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 knock-out blow. We’re here to win,” he added.
Ngannou said: “Bringing Mike Tyson into my training camp is one of the best decisions I can make to prepare for Tyson Fury in the ring at this year’s Riyadh Season.
“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 super-fight.
“I’ve been wanting this fight for years and now that it’s here, I’m focused on fighting the greatest fight of my career and shocking the world on the most epic stage for the fans in Riyadh. October 28, the world will know who is The Baddest Man on the Planet.”
Tyson is no stranger to the Kingdom having appeared in Saudi Arabia many times. Nicknamed Iron Mike, he performed Umrah in Makkah in December and was present for The Truth event in February.
The former heavyweight champion is also familiar with Fury and his family. His recent podcast with Fadi Altal’s “Boxing Arabia” went viral, as Mike and John Fury discussed the emotional impact of naming his son Tyson.
His appearance at Riyadh Season is another coup for the festival and his support is expected to fuel growing excitement for the event and the culture of boxing in Saudi Arabia.
