The Gypsy King Tyson Fury managed to snatch a disputed split decision win against ex-UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou in a Saudi Arabian showdown.
In a dramatic third round, 37-year-old Ngannou floored Fury with a resounding left hook, shaking the boxing world for a moment.
Though one ringside judge saw it as a 95-94 night for Ngannou, the other two tilted it in Fury’s favor with scores of 96-93 and 95-94. Interestingly, Fury’s WBC heavyweight title wasn’t at stake in this duel.
“That certainly wasn’t in the playbook,” Fury confessed to TNT Sports.
“For that knockdown, I got tagged in the back of the skull. Didn’t phase me, though. I got up and returned to my boxing groove. This man is tricky and can throw a punch, so props to him. Honestly, he’s given me one of the hardest bouts I’ve had in the past decade.”
Fury Overcomes Initial Hurdles to Defeat Ngannou
Entering his first foray into professional boxing, Ngannou was cautious in the inaugural round, employing his jab effectively. Fury, for his part, seemed content to ease into the fight, keen on studying his mixed martial arts-turned-boxing adversary.
By round two, Ngannou had drawn first blood—quite literally—as a cut appeared on Fury’s forehead courtesy of a hefty left hook. The Gypsy King appeared disoriented and sluggish and ultimately kissed the mat in the third round due to a similar punch.
Though he was noticeably off-balance, Fury eventually regained his composure by the fifth round, landing a clean one-two combo on Ngannou.
Fury’s resurgence was short-lived, however, as Ngannou resumed his bombardment of heavy punches in the later stages of the fight.
The Final Act and Future Plans
Come the seventh round, Fury seemed on the brink. He lunged forward hastily, missing Ngannou and plummeting to his knees, although it was ruled a slip rather than a knockdown.
Throughout the bout, Ngannou exploited his MMA background, skillfully utilizing clinches to target Fury’s head and torso.
As the final bell tolled, Ngannou’s corner was already celebrating, assuming their fighter had pulled off an unprecedented upset. The scorecards, however, proved to be the dream-crushers, sealing the win for the more experienced Fury. He went on to receive the honorary ‘Riyadh Champion’ belt, extending his undefeated record to 35 bouts, with 34 wins and a draw.
“I had just three and a half months to prep for this, and I was injured,” Ngannou revealed. “But no excuses. I’ll evaluate my game and come back stronger. Now that I know I belong here, you better watch out. The wolf has entered the building.”
With this win, Tyson Fury now sets his sights on a mega-fight with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, despite appearing visibly battered and bruised, casting doubts on whether he could recover in time for their proposed December 23 bout.
Star-Studded Affair and Controversies
The event itself was nothing short of a spectacle. From Conor McGregor sitting between soccer stars Sadio Mane and Rio Ferdinand, to rap legends Kanye West and Eminem making the trip to Riyadh, the who’s-who of sports and entertainment were in attendance.
This extravagant affair was part of the annual ‘Riyadh Season,’ an entertainment festival hosted by Saudi Arabia. The country’s increasing role in global sports has attracted attention due to its controversial human rights record, sparking debates around “sportswashing.”
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman commented on the scrutiny, stating that he “does not care” about claims that the country is using high-profile sporting events to improve its global image.
So there you have it, folks. A fight that lived up to its hype in action and drama, leaving us both entertained and divided. Isn’t that what we live for?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou Split Decision
What was the outcome of the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou fight?
Tyson Fury emerged victorious, claiming a controversial split decision win over former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou. The fight took place in Saudi Arabia and had the boxing world buzzing due to its unexpected twists and turns.
Who were the judges in favor of?
While one judge scored the fight 95-94 in favor of Francis Ngannou, the other two gave it to Tyson Fury with scores of 96-93 and 95-94, leading to a split decision.
Was Tyson Fury’s WBC heavyweight belt on the line?
No, Tyson Fury’s WBC heavyweight belt was not at stake in this fight. However, he did win an honorary ‘Riyadh Champion’ belt for defeating Ngannou.
How did Francis Ngannou perform in his boxing debut?
Ngannou, making his professional boxing debut, put up an impressive performance. He managed to knock Fury down in the third round and landed heavy punches throughout the fight. Although he ultimately lost, his performance has been cited as one of Fury’s toughest fights in the last 10 years.
What’s next for Tyson Fury?
Tyson Fury’s win potentially sets him up for a unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk, the unified heavyweight champion who holds the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles. However, due to the toll the fight took on him, it is uncertain whether he’ll be ready for their planned December 23 showdown.
Was this event part of a larger celebration or festival?
Yes, this boxing match was part of Saudi Arabia’s annual ‘Riyadh Season,’ an entertainment festival that includes various high-profile sporting events.
Who were some of the celebrities in attendance?
The event was a star-studded affair with celebrities like Conor McGregor, Sadio Mane, Rio Ferdinand, Kanye West, and Eminem among the audience. Big names from the world of boxing like Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, and Oscar de la Hoya were also present.
What is “sportswashing” and how is it related to this event?
“Sportswashing” refers to the practice of using high-profile sporting events to improve a country’s image, especially if it has a poor human rights record. Saudi Arabia’s increased involvement in hosting elite sporting events has sparked controversy and debates around this term. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, stated that he “does not care” about such accusations.
What were some notable moments from the fight?
Ngannou knocked Fury down in the third round, Fury made a comeback by the fifth, and the scorecards were highly disputed, leading to much debate and drama. The fight was both entertaining and divisive, serving as a perfect cocktail of sports theater.
Was there any musical performance associated with the event?
Yes, there was a musical segment that lasted about 30 minutes and featured performances by London rapper Flowdan, Grammy award winner Lil Baby, and American singer Becky G. The musical acts contributed to the spectacle, making it akin to a mix between the Super Bowl halftime show and Eurovision.
More about Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou Split Decision
- Tyson Fury’s Official Profile
- Francis Ngannou’s Career Highlights
- WBC Heavyweight Championship
- Riyadh Season Official Website
- The Controversy of Sportswashing
- Oleksandr Usyk’s Upcoming Fights
- Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Record
- List of Celebrities at the Event
- Overview of Split Decision in Boxing
- What is a Unification Bout in Boxing?
10 comments
Man, what a fight! Can’t believe Ngannou actually knocked Fury down. Seriously, who saw that comin’?
MBS says he doesn’t care about sportswashing accusations, but hosting these big events does make people talk. Smart move? or not so much?
Split decisions are always controversial, man. Feels like it just adds more fuel to the Fury vs Ngannou debate. Rematch anyone?
Flowdan, Lil Baby, and Becky G in a boxing event? That’s like the Coachella of sports, lol.
Wait, Kanye and Eminem were there too? Lol, what a mashup of sports and music. Riyadh Season goin’ all out.
So Fury won and his belt wasn’t even on the line? That’s like beating the final boss but not getting any loot.
Ngannou in boxing? Never thought I’d see the day. And he didn’t do bad at all. The man’s got a future in this.
These new fights are all about the spectacle. Remember when it was just two guys and a ring? Ah, the good ol’ days.
So we gonna talk about Saudi’s human rights record or we’re just gonna gloss over that? Just sayin’
Usyk vs Fury, that’s gonna be fire! But after this fight, not sure if Fury’s gonna be 100% for it.