Many star names including Cristiano Ronaldo are present in Saudi Arabia to witness the “Battle of the Baddest” crossover fight involving Boxing great Tyson Fury and MMA legend Francis Ngannou.
Fury and Ngannou are set for what should be a thrilling battle on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This bout is one of the most anticipated showdowns in recent years, with Tyson Fury reportedly pocketing home $50 million and Ngannou earning $10 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia for Battle of the Baddest bout
On Friday, October 27, 2023, ahead of the massive clash, a gala dinner did go down, with a lot of celebrities in attendance.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr on January 1, 2023, after acrimoniously leaving Manchester United, was the biggest name present at the gala dinner.
Ronaldo was pictured having a chat with Fury, and he was even seen in a video playfully gesticulating a punch to the Gypsy King.
In a video shared from the dinner, Tyson Fury branded Cristiano Ronaldo to be the greatest player of all time.
The British boxer shared how he has followed the football icon across most of the clubs he has played for and he can testify to the Portuguese being the greatest footballer ever seen.
Fury said: “Cristiano! you are the greatest footballer that has ever lived and I mean that…”
Cristiano Ronaldo was also seen with MMA star Israel Adesanya, and they had a great chat at the gala dinner.
Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo Delima, Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Eminem also attended the gala night
Several other legends were also in attendance, notably; Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo Delima, Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, and Music legend Eminem.
Mike Tyson has been tutoring Francis Ngannou ahead of the bout, and he was even pictured with Ronaldo Delima – the Brazil football icon.
Cristiano Ronaldo takes time out to have fun with stars of other sports, who are obviously his friends, and both boxers on the night are amazing friends of the Portuguese icon.
It will be definitely difficult for him to choose a side, given the relationship he shares with both boxers.
However, before that bout, Ronaldo should be in action for Al Nassr, in a league encounter against Al-Fayha, which has been slated for 4:00 PM.
The Portuguese has been outstanding in attack for the Saudi Pro League club this campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing 7 assists in 13 appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top-scorer of the Pro League with 11 goals from 9 matches, and he is also currently joint-second in the goalscoring chart for the Asian Champions League.
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou’s ring walk for the mountainous bout is expected to commence at about 10:30 PM following several undercard fights.
It is uncertain if Cristiano Ronaldo will be present at the venue of the bout in Riyadh, to witness the “Battle of the Baddest”, due to his engagements with Al Nassr.
