Chaos erupted at a media event held in Saudi Arabia to promote the crossover event Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou. The event is being held on 28 October 2023 to open Riyadh season, but the undercard fighters stole the thunder of the main event. British Heavyweight Champion unbeaten Fabio Wardley was announced for the card, facing number one contender and also unbeaten David Adeleye.
Both Wardley and Adeleye attended the media event, and Wardley was speaking to Seconds Out when an explosive incident occurred. Adeleye pushed Fabio Wardley, sending him backwards. Wardley was unprepared for any kind of physical confrontation.
Wardley was then greeted by an elbow from a team member wearing a hat, we’ll refer to as Hat Man from here, as a brawl began to erupt quickly. Multiple videos have been shared across Twitter/X.com showing the altercation was brief, lasting barely a minute, but it continued on from here.
The Adeleye team member Hat Man caught Wardley off balance with a wild swinging punch, and sent Wardley to the ground. Wardley was also being tripped by a giant cable beneath him, so he wasn’t knocked out, but did bounce off the floor with some force. Wardley was back to his feet immediately but was kept from apart and separated from Adeleye.
While Adeleye may feel the victor from this scrap, it may have further consequences for him. Wardley suffered a cut to his face, as well as damage to his chin, that leaves the 28 October 2023 date in doubt. Adeleye may have cost himself a significant payday as the chief support to Fury vs Ngannou, particularly if Wardley requires surgery and is unable to spar.
David Adeleye was the mandatory challenger to Fabio Wardley. Purses bids were cancelled as a deal was being brokered behind the scenes to sign Fabio Wardley to Queensbury, so both boxers were signed to the same promotion. Wardley is still expected to face Adeleye next, although the British title is unlikely to be defended on foreign soil.
Elsewhere, the event was intended to be a vehicle to promote Fury vs Ngannou. It was widely attended by the media, with Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou speaking to the media, alongside Fury’s promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren. Tyson Fury was in a jovial mood, albeit rather crass, as he engaged the media. He spoke of facing Francis Ngannou inside a cage with MMA rules, with Ngannou dismissed. Both remain confident heading into their bout on 28 October. The event has also now been confirmed for TNT Sports.
For a full preview of the event, you can read more here