Heavyweight world champion Fury, 35, will face former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou, who has no professional record in boxing. Fury’s WBC title will not be on the line against against Ngannou.

“I need to be on my A-game,” Fury said. “There’s more on the line now than in a boxing fight.”

Fury and 37-year-old Ngannou came face-to-face at a news conference on Thursday in London, which was heavily saturated by references and compliments to Saudi Arabia.

Their contest will take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system.

Fury is a two-time world champion and defeated Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December to extend his unbeaten record to 33 wins and one draw.

“If I lose to an MMA guy I’ll never be able to show my face in public again,” he added. “It’s going to ridicule me – people will chuck it at me forever.

The Morecambe fighter’s decision to fight boxing novice Ngannou rather than a credible opponent has been lambasted by purists, particularly after super fights against Anthony Joshua and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk could not be agreed.

“There’s more riding on this than ever before,” Fury said.

“Whether the media want to take it as a joke, make no mistake Tyson Fury will leave zero stones unturned and I will come in as my fittest and strongest I’ve ever been to defeat this man.

“If I’m not and I get knocked out, then I want you all to laugh at me. That’s what I want, because I deserve it.”

French-Cameroonian Ngannou held ambitions to be a boxer before venturing into MMA. He is known for his punching power and knockout ability and will be trained by boxing Hall-of-Fame star Mike Tyson, a man Fury was named after.

“Too bad for him, Mike Tyson loves me more than him,” joked Ngannou.

He became UFC heavyweight champion in 2021 and defended once before his relationship with the MMA promotion and its president Dana White broke down.

“I have had these dreams since I was a kid to become a boxer today,” he added. “It’s not just that I’m going to box, but I am going to box the guy on the mountain.”

Earlier this year Ngannou joined MMA promotional outfit PFL who, unlike the UFC, do not contractually prevent fighters from freely competing in other combat sports.

He added: “Nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen. But what I do know for sure is I am going to be out there hunting for this guy’s head, to take it off.”

Ngannou’s MMA record has see him enjoy 17 wins in 20 fights, with 12 knockouts.

He said: “What will happen at the moment that guy hits the floor and doesn’t stand up?

“Will I be the best boxer in the world? If you take out the number one, you are the number one? I think so.”

Having exchanged several compliments, the news conference became slightly more intense when Fury said he would welcome an MMA fight with Ngannou in the future.

“Firstly I will beat you in a boxing ring and then I’ll kick your ass in a stage,” he said – a comment which appeared to rile Ngannou.

The light-hearted nature of the conference then returned at the obligatory face-to-face meeting. Fury took off his top and encouraged his rival to do the same. A bemused Ngannou refused.