Will Tyson Fury’s heavyweight title be on the line against Francis Ngannou… as ‘The Gypsy King’ aims to knock MMA’s hardest puncher out ahead of their epic clash in Saudi Arabia

Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou will face off in an epic crossover fight in Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening.

‘The Gypsy King’ comes into the fight coming off a 10th round TKO win against Derek Chisora ​​last December.

Despite this weekend’s showdown with the former MMA star, the Englishman recently signed a contract to set up an undisputed heavyweight championship fight with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.

As for Ngannou, ‘The Predator’ makes his boxing debut this weekend and hasn’t fought since being released from the UFC earlier this year. In his last fight, the heavyweight star defeated Ciryl Gane via decision at UFC 270.

But will Fury’s WBC heavyweight title be on the line in Saudi Arabia this weekend?

‘The Gypsy King’ comes into contention coming off a win against Derek Chisora ​​in December

Fury’s WBC heavyweight title will not be on the line in his 10-round showdown with ‘The Predator’.

If the Englishman loses on Saturday evening, the defeat will not count against his professional record.

Speak with talkSPORT earlier this year, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren confirmed his WBC title will not be on the line in Saudi Arabia.

“There won’t be any titles on the line because the guy isn’t ranked, but we’re not selling it like that, it’s an event,” Warren said.

“We’re not saying he’s in the ratings and he won’t be in the ratings, it is what it is. It’s a crossover event between two guys from two different disciplines.”

While the title won’t be up for grabs this weekend, the winner of the fight will be rewarded with a special belt made just for this fight.

Before the fight, Fury promised to knock Ngannou out in six rounds. The Gypsy King said he wanted to leave his opponent in a ‘heap’, ‘put out his eyes’ and boasted that no one could take his power.

He told TNT Boxing: ‘I’m going to knock him out in six rounds. And shall I tell you how I am going to do that?

Tyson Fury’s WBC heavyweight title will not be at stake this weekend in Saudi Arabia

Instead, the winner of the fight will receive a belt made specifically for this fight

‘Get on the front foot, high arm, give him a stiff jab, 19, 20 stones in the face, boom, boom, boom, smash him, swell his eyes, then feint, slip, boom! KO

‘On the front foot, don’t run away. On the front foot, hand-eye, let it hit the shoulder, slip, slip, pop, slip, slip, pop. Down in a heap.

“Listen, no one can take my power. No one. These heavyweights don’t stand a chance.’