Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou appear to have been given conflicting reports on whether there is a rematch clause for their upcoming super-fight in Saudi Arabia.
The heavyweight champions from UFC and boxing will compete in an unprecedented crossover next month, with Fury a huge favourite given that the fight is in his sport. However, Ngannou is a massive puncher, and has landed a string of concussive knockouts during his run to the world title in the octagon.
Despite Fury’s huge favourite tag, there is still a slight opportunity for Ngannou to shock the world, and should that happen, he has detailed a rematch clause between the pair. However, speaking at last week’s launch press conference Fury offered a different take on what happens if he loses, declaring that it will be a case of ‘move on’ after the fact.
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“Oh yeah, by the way, we’ve got no rematch clause,” Fury told the media in London. “So that sucks, doesn’t it? Imagine that. Couldn’t be bothered. I don’t like rematches. I hate them. I’ve been in litigation loads of times over poxy rematch clauses. When you beat a man once, that should be it, move on.”
This is a direct contrast to what Ngannou claimed during an interview with The MMA Hour immediately after the fight was announced, where he insisted that there would be a rematch should he win. It is standard fare for the ‘B-Side’ in a major bout like this to be forced to accept a rematch clause in the case that they win
“There is a potential rematch clause,” Ngannou explained. “But I don’t know exactly how to explain that language, but yes, there is a rematch inside it.” Asked by host Ariel Helwani if that was one-sided should he beat Fury, the fighter responded: “For that one, definitely.”
