Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou collide this Saturday live from Saudi Arabia in a boxing showdown the world has been waiting for. Fury, the reigning champion in the sport, welcomes Ngannou, making his debut as a former UFC heavyweight titleholder. While most big boxing contracts have an immediate rematch included, Fury explained why this one does not.
Tyson Fury: No Rematch Clauses Included In Francis Ngannou Fight
This Saturday, Tyson Fury steps inside the boxing ring against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
While most believe the reigning boxing champion should have no trouble with Ngannou, who is making his professional debut in the sport, it was still surprising to hear no immediate rematch is in the works regardless.
“As we stand today, there’s no rematch clause either way,” Fury said on The MMA Hour (thanks to MMA Mania for the quotes). “So if he knocks me out cold on Saturday night, I’ll have to be begging him like this, ‘Please give me a rematch!’
“I hate rematch clauses. Rematch clauses have tied my career up for so long and cost me millions of dollars in court cases. I always say, we don’t need (it). If the first fight is good, then both participants would surely want a rematch.
“If it’s a shit fight, then it’s not deserving of a rematch.”
Fury, who holds the WBC heavyweight title, will not be defending the belt. He will be defending his unbeaten record of 33-0, though, in the bout.
Tyson Fury On Why He Hates Rematch Clauses
“They go into the first fight and they already announce, ‘Oh there’s a rematch clause.’ So it takes all the emphasis off the first fight,” Fury said. “No one cares about the first fight. ‘Oh shit, there’s a rematch clause, let’s see who wins the second fight. That’s the one that really counts.’
“It was one of the stumbling points for me and (Oleksandr) Usyk last time. They were desperate for a rematch clause. I said, ‘It’s the fight of the century, why the (expletive) does it need a rematch clause?’ Let the winner go home with all the belts and let the loser go home with his (expletive) in his hands.
“They didn’t want to do it. It was just as risky for me as it was for them.”
Fury vs. Ngannou airs live on ESPN+ pay-per-view and is scheduled for 10 rounds in a non-title exhibition bout.
