In a thrilling and controversial encounter, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, 35, managed to maintain his unbeaten record after narrowly defeating former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, 37. The ten-round fight, which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ended in a split decision favoring the British champion.
Ngannou Shocks with Early Knockdown
Despite this being his boxing debut, Ngannou showcased impressive skill and discipline, surprising Fury with a knockdown in Round 3. The Cameroonian-French fighter outboxed Fury for much of the match, demonstrating not just aggression but a strategic approach that left many experts questioning the final decision.
"He's a hell of a fighter and a hell of a lot better boxer than we thought he would be. He's an awkward man and a good puncher, and I respect him a lot," Fury admitted post-fight. "He was very awkward... He's given me one of my toughest fights of the last ten years."
Controversy Surrounds Decision
Many boxing pundits had labelled Ngannou as the underdog prior to the event, yet his performance left no doubt about his prowess in the ring. Some even believe "The Predator" was wrongfully denied the win. Notably, Bad Left Hook, a renowned boxing website, reported that Fury appeared to be lacking peak physical condition, particularly in the early rounds.
Echoing these sentiments, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn maintained that Ngannou won "by two rounds." Hearn went on to say that "Tyson Fury looked like he's never laced a pair of gloves before." In a video on Matchroom Boxing's YouTube channel, Hearn called for "The Gypsy King" to offer Ngannou a rematch or face Britain's two-time world champion Anthony Joshua.
Stats Favor Fury
Despite the controversy, statistics from Compubox reveal that Fury landed more total punches during the fight. Out of 223 attempts, Fury connected with 71, while Ngannou landed 59 out of 231. Fury was also the more active fighter in six of the ten rounds, with Ngannou edging three and one round ending in a tie.
However, it's worth noting that Ngannou landed more power punches throughout the fight, 37 to Fury's 32. The final two rounds saw Fury land 13 punches to Ngannou's six, likely influencing the judges' decision.
Fury vs. Usyk: Uncertain Future
Following the bout, Oleksandr Usyk, Fury's next scheduled opponent, entered the ring. Both fighters hold unified heavyweight titles and are unbeaten, setting the stage for an exciting showdown. However, the rumored date for their clash on December 23 remains uncertain.
Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, expressed doubts about the date due to Fury's need to heal from a cut received during the Ngannou fight. "Tyson's got a cut there. We'll see how it heals," said Warren, adding that Fury needs time to get back into shape before entering camp.
Usyk, however, insisted that the fight proceed as planned, arguing that if Fury is unable to meet the agreed-upon date, he should vacate his title. With negotiations ongoing for nearly a year, the anticipation for this match continues to build.