Two enormous statues of the two world champions have been erected in London’s Potters Field Park as anticipation grows for former UFC champion Francis Ngannou’s fight with Tyson Fury.
On October 28, in Saudi Arabia, the professional boxing debutant will be going up against the WBC heavyweight champion. This highly anticipated match will mark the beginning of a massive entertainment festival in the country.
In honour of the event, which some consider a mix of curiosity and spectacle, a grand boxing ring has been constructed near London’s renowned Tower Bridge.
Within it are grand depictions of the UFC legend and the Gypsy King, positioned apart by an equally immense and extravagant golden crown. This crown has been embellished with the tagline of the fight – Battle of the Baddest.
Fans and tourists will have the opportunity to admire the attraction, which was created by UNIT 9 production studios, during the two weeks leading up to the bout.
It appears that no cost has been spared in the marketing efforts for the fight. Earlier this week, the promotional video went viral and quickly amassed over 150 million views within just 24 hours.
The announcement of the long-awaited undisputed heavyweight championship battle between the British fighter and the current champions of the World Boxing Council (WBC), the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) has added even more mystery to the situation. The Riyadh Season is scheduled to conclude this year.
The chairman of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, expressed that this extraordinary and unique experience provides fans with a preview of what promises to be an unparalleled heavyweight contest.
He said they are thrilled to announce that they will be hosting this iconic event, which will unite people from all over the world and mark the beginning of this year’s Riyadh season.
“‘We are excited to host this iconic event that will bring people together from around the world and open this year’s Riyadh Season,” he said.
Mixed reactions
The match-up has garnered a mixed reaction due to Ngannou’s lack of professional boxing experience, leading some to question the level of competition he can offer against the undefeated Fury.
It comes as no surprise that Fury is presented by many as the clear favourite to win the clash. According to most fans and pundits, the upcoming boxing match between Ngannou and Fury will consist of ten rounds, following the official rules of professional boxing. Many believe that Fury’s skill, range, and understanding of distance will pose a significant challenge for the inexperienced Ngannou.
This is not the first statue of Ngannou to be erected. One done by an artist in Cameroon left fans unimpressed, as they claimed it bore little resemblance to the real champion.