In a controversial and thrilling fight, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury narrowly escaped defeat against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The ten-round boxing match, which took place on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saw Fury recover from a knockdown to win by split decision.
Ngannou Shocks with Boxing Debut
Making his boxing debut at 37, Ngannou outboxed the 35-year-old British champion for much of the fight, even managing to knock Fury down in Round 3. Despite this, Fury rallied to secure victory with narrow margins (94-95, 96-93, 95-94), thus maintaining his unbeaten professional record.
"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," said Fury after the fight. "He was very awkward. He wasn't coming forward and was waiting for me to throw. He's given me one of my toughest fights of the last ten years."
Controversy Surrounds Decision
The decision has sparked controversy among boxing experts who had pegged Ngannou as the underdog. Many believe that "The Predator" was wrongfully denied the win. Ngannou displayed discipline and aggression but was not reckless in his approach.
The boxing website Bad Left Hook reported that Fury was not in peak physical condition, with his stamina notably lacking in the early rounds. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn echoed this sentiment, stating that Ngannou won "by two rounds" and that "Tyson Fury looked like he's never laced a pair of gloves before." Hearn called for "The Gypsy King" to offer his opponent a rematch or face Britain's two-time world champion Anthony Joshua.
Fury Triumphs in Stats
Despite the controversy, the latest statistics reveal that Fury landed more total punches in the contest. According to Compubox, Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) landed 71 of 223 punches, while Ngannou (0-1) landed 59 of 231. Fury was also the more active fighter in six of ten rounds, with Ngannou edging three and one round tied.
In the final two rounds, Ngannou landed only six punches, while Fury landed 13, likely a deciding factor for the judges. However, Ngannou did land more power punches throughout the fight, 37 to 32.
Upcoming Match: Fury vs. Usyk
After the bout, Oleksandr Usyk, Fury's next scheduled opponent, entered the ring. Both fighters are unbeaten and hold unified heavyweight titles. The rumored date for their clash in Riyadh on December 23 remains uncertain as Fury and his promoter, Frank Warren, were non-committal after Fury's fight with Ngannou.
"I don't think the date will be announced just yet. This fight is on. Both fighters want it. Tyson's got a cut there. We'll see how it heals," said Warren. The Queensberry promoter explained that Fury cannot go into a camp after such a tough fight, as he needs "at least a bit of time to get himself, his body, back into shape."
Usyk, however, insisted that the fight with Fury take place on the agreed date of December 23, arguing that Fury should vacate his title if he could not fight on the agreed date. With negotiations having lasted nearly a year, the boxing world is eagerly awaiting the resolution of this dispute.