A chaotic brawl erupted just before the press conference to launch the highly-anticipated crossover fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou, adding unexpected drama to the event. The two heavyweight giants are set to square off in Saudi Arabia later this year, marking Ngannou's transition from the MMA octagon to a boxing ring.
The press conference, held on Thursday, was meant to be the official launch of the event, which is being billed as the showdown to determine the 'baddest man on the planet.' However, it quickly descended into chaos when a violent brawl involving two undercard fighters overshadowed the proceedings, leaving one of them bloodied.
British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley was present for the announcement of his upcoming fight against David Adeleye. Tensions flared when Adeleye initiated the brawl by shoving Wardley, prompting a retaliatory response from Wardley. The situation escalated rapidly, with both boxers attempting to reach each other before a crowd of individuals intervened to restore order.
Wardley was eventually led away from the scene with a visible cut on his left cheek, declining to engage with the media as he left the red carpet. The incident has cast a shadow over his upcoming bout with Adeleye on the undercard, with questions arising about its impact on their preparations.
Wardley, who boasts an unblemished professional record, last fought in April when he defeated Michael Polite Coffie in just four rounds. His upcoming fight against Adeleye will test his mettle like never before, especially in light of this brawl.
In the main event, Tyson Fury is gearing up to defend his perfect record against Francis Ngannou. Fury is widely considered the favorite, given his extensive experience in the boxing ring. Ngannou, on the other hand, has never fought professionally in the world of boxing, making this a significant challenge for the MMA star.
Despite the odds stacked against Ngannou, his manager, Marquel Martin, exudes confidence in his fighter's punching power. Martin firmly believes that if Ngannou lands a clean punch, no one on the planet can withstand it, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown between the two heavyweights.
As the fallout from the press conference brawl continues, questions linger about potential fines and suspensions for the involved fighters and whether the event's security measures will be reinforced to prevent any further disruptions.
