British heavyweight contender Dave Allen is certainly not a fan of Tyson Fury's decision to fight former UFC world champion Francis Ngannou in a cross-sport boxing match.

Fury, who won't stake his WBC world title, will face Ngannou on October 28 in Saudi Arabia.

The contest has faced a mountain of criticism, because Ngannou - with little to no boxing experience - will make his pro debut against one of the best fighters in the sport.

"I am disappointed, to be honest,' Allen told Seconds Out. "I'm probably going to pay to watch it because its intriguing. The same way I paid to watch Jake Paul-Tommy Fury, intrigue, curiosity. But I've known Tyson a very long time, we've been mates for a long time. I understand it, the money's great. He's going to get paid tens of millions (to fight) a fella who's never boxed before. Great business for him. 

"I understand why he's doing it but I don't like it. And he probably should be stripped of his titles because he's not defended it since Chisora (in December 2022). It will be 18 months by the time he boxes again. If he wants to do these exhibitions then go and do them, I'm happy for him, earn your money. But if you're not going to defend the belt, give these other fighters a chance that want to fight."

Allen, who is currently in training for a showdown with Olympic silver medal winner Frazer Clarke, believes Fury could have easily faced other opponents.

"He could have boxed (Arslanbek) Makhmudov, could have boxed (Filip) Hrgovic. The only thing bothering me about the situation is they're saying that there's no one for him to box,' Allen said. 

"I could name you 30 fighters that he could box, and I could reel (off to) you 60 or 70 that I'd rather see than Ngannou. The only fight that counts right now is Fury-Usyk."