Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Latest boxing fight updates and reaction after controversial result in Saudi Arabia
Re-live all the action after Tyson Fury was knocked by and won a controversial decision against MMA star Francis Ngannou
Tyson Fury won a controversial decision against Francis Ngannou in the pair’s boxing match on Saturday night, surviving a knockdown by the MMA star in Saudi Arabia.
Fury entered Riyadh with an unbeaten professional record, while ex-UFC champion Ngannou was making his boxing debut. Fury, 35, did not defend his WBC heavyweight title in the fight, which went for all 10 scheduled rounds and saw Ngannou, 37, arguably do enough to beat the boxer.
The Cameroonian dropped the Briton with a left hook in Round 3, stunning those in attendance and the wider combat-sports world. Ngannou continued to outbox Fury for much of the bout, only to be denied a victory when the scorecards were read aloud.
After a close fight, Fury was named a split-decision winner, and he faced off with unified heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, whom he is expected to fight next – also in Saudi.
Re-live all the action with our fight updates and results, below.
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
Conor McGregor: “Lovely shot, back of the head, more off-balance. Ngannou is a powerful boy, Tyson couldn’t hurt him. Heavyweight boxing is exciting! I saw Anthony Joshua, then Fury, some great fights in the division. Add Usyk into that! And Ngannou! It’s a crazy game, I’m off to the gym.”
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
Chris Eubank Jr: “Watching from ringside, I thought Ngannou won the fight. It was close but he was the aggressor, landed heavier shots & scored a knockdown.
“Fury deserved to lose after having so much trouble against a man who has never boxed before… too much time filming Netflix specials, not enough time in the gym, I’m guessing. Unlucky Francis.”
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
I’m still trying to come to terms with what we saw tonight. Fury wins a very close boxing match with a mixed martial artist who is making his boxing debut, and who knocks Fury down.
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
Usyk: “We’re back in this ring, 23 December, thank you very much, I go to sleep.”
Before tonight, Fury was the one pushing for 23 December. Now, he doesn’t seem so sure. Usyk does.
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
Fury and Usyk are in the ring together.
Fury: “It’s been going on a long time, let’s do the fight – over here, for all the belts, the undisputed title of the world. Listen, it’s not up to me; we’d go now. These guys will sort it out, it’ll be my next fight guaranteed.”
Usyk: “Let’s go. I’m going to be fighting him, amazing. It’s a big fight, the whole world wants this fight.”
Warren: “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.
“It’s the biggest fight in boxing. Everybody wants to see it. They’ll see it in Saudi, it’ll break all box-office records.”
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
Carl Frampton: “I thought Francis won that fight. I couldn’t believe what I was watching. We picked Tyson rationally, Francis coming in for his first boxing match, how could he win? In my eyes he won the fight. [Fury] struggled with his style. We thought Francis would come in and swing. He boxed beautifully.”
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
Ex-UFC fighter Dan Hardy, who works at the PFL, where Ngannou will fight in MMA next year: “I could count the clean shots [Fury] landed on one hand. I’m very disappointed for Francis; for me Francis won that fight.”
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
Fury says there is no rematch clause for either fighter.
Lennox Lewis: “I felt Tyson Fury won, he was throwing a lot of punches. Ngannou surprised me. Showing poise and patience, waiting for that perfect opportunity.
“[Fury] wasn’t 100 per cent, it was like a warm-up fight to the big fight [with Usyk].”
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
Ngannou: “I am feeling great, fantastic. It didn’t go my way, I might be beaten today, I might be wounded, but I can bite. We can run it back again, and I’m sure I’m gonna get better. This was my first boxing match, great experience.
“I’m not gonna give any excuse, I know I came up short, but I’m gonna come back with a little more experience of the game.
“At first I was a little nervous, now I know I can do this s***. The wolf is in the house. Tonight was to feel the water, and now I know the temperature.
“I came out from a long recovery and surgery, three months and a half. I worked hard and gave my best. I know myself. We’ll gather with my team and what we can do next to improve my game.”
Fury def. Ngannou via split decision
Fury: “That definitely wasn’t in the script. He’s a lot better of a boxer than we thought he’d be.
“He’s a very awkward man, and he’s a good puncher, and I respect him a lot. He was very awkward, he wasn’t coming forward; he was waiting for me to throw my punches then looking to counter.
“It’s a part of boxing [the knockdown], I got caught behind the head again. I got up and it was alright; I got back to my boxing.
“I don’t know how close it was, but I got the win and that’s what it is. I’ve been out the ring a long time again. You can see it in here – ring rust, everything. No excuses, though. He’s cut me across the eye there. It was a good, rough fight. Perfect.”
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren says Fury will rest now. Fury says he’ll take a “long, hard rest”.
23 December vs Usyk not happening then? Hmm...
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