Boxing promoter Frank Warren stands firm in his prediction of record-breaking viewership for the forthcoming Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou event, labeled as the ‘Battle of the Titans.’ The international reach of the pay-per-view spectacle, set to unravel on October 28th, is expected to reach an unprecedented audience. The big question, however, is where these massive numbers will emanate from.
“A Clash, not for the faint-hearted”
The contest, according to critics, doesn’t look palatable for American fans on paper. The fight’s success heavily leans on British enthusiasts who are anticipated to rally behind their compatriot, Fury. There is a level of skepticism about the number of fans willing to invest in the spectacle without a robust undercard of well-known fighters.
Oddly enough, the fight was announced without declaring the PPV price – an essential detail for the potential audience. Was this a calculated strategy to stir interest and secure a dedicated viewership before releasing the possibly eye-watering price tag?
“The name of the event, ‘Battle of the Titans’, seems a tad inflated. Ngannou, at 36, has been out of the ring for 18 months. He’s certainly not at the prime of his youth. As for Fury, his last noteworthy bout was against Deontay Wilder in 2021,” said an anonymous source close to the boxing industry.
The Fury-Ngannou Saga: Will it shatter records?
“It’s a colossal event, the most massive I’ve ever been a part of,” Frank Warren told iFL TV, discussing the impending clash between Tyson Fury and boxing rookie, Francis Ngannou. This enthusiasm isn’t just limited to the boxing community. “Yesterday, the #1 trending topic on Twitter was Tyson, and #2 was Ngannou. This isn’t just a few guys; it’s the general public. This is a monumental event,” Warren continued.
If the bout achieves the expected viewership, this event may not just break, but possibly shatter existing box office records. “Is Ngannou not the heavyweight champion in his combat sport? Doesn’t he hold a Guinness World Record for the hardest punch?” asked Warren, defending the importance of this clash.
The Doubtful Success
Despite Warren’s positive outlook, there’s still skepticism. The success of this event, if achieved, will probably owe to the British audience rather than the Americans. Free-to-watch deals could attract a few American viewers, provided they don’t have alternate plans for the night.
Warren adds, “This is an enormous event featuring a fighter ready to battle. If people don’t tune in, it would indeed be telling.”
“This is massive!”
“Eddie Hearn said if we make this fight, it’ll be a colossal event. He was spot on. It’s even more significant now. Why? Because Tyson is undefeated,” Warren declared confidently.
He was, however, critical when informed that Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, had suggested Tyson Fury should forfeit his WBC title if he fights Ngannou.
“I think he’ll defeat him,” Warren responded dismissively, referring to Usyk’s impending fight with Daniel Dubois.
A Battle to Remember?
“We are moving on to the most significant attraction in heavyweight boxing [Fury vs. Ngannou],” Warren declared. He reminisced about the last fight Fury had with Deontay Wilder in 2021, which set new box office records for any heavyweight fight in Vegas.
However, critics suggest the success was more attributable to the popular American Wilder than to Fury. They question if Fury is as big a name in America as he is back home in Britain.
Betting on the Newbies
Choosing to fight Ngannou, a relative novice in the boxing scene, instead of making a mandatory defense of his WBC title, seems like a risky move for Fury. WBC champions are obligated to defend their titles annually, but Fury has not adhered to this protocol this year.
Asked about future events with the organizers of the Fury vs. Ngannou fight in Saudi Arabia, Warren said, “We’d love them because they delivered.” He referred to the fight happening in Riyadh this October and added, “They made it happen with Tyson.”
