World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has won the show fight against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia despite being knocked down on points.
World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has won the show fight against MMA star Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia despite a knockdown on points.
The Briton had unexpectedly big problems in the duel with the former UFC fighter, who was trained by boxing legend Mike Tyson. In the third round, Ngannou even sent the “Gypsy King” to the boards, but Fury ultimately won by a razor-thin margin on the judges’ decision (96:93, 95:94, 94:95).
“This was definitely not planned,” Fury said after the ten rounds in front of Alexander Usyk, the champion of the WBA, WBO and IBF federations. Ngannou “knocked his head off here,” Fury commented, “That was probably my toughest fight in ten years. “
Ngannou vows to mend his ways
Fury’s WBC belt was not on the line against the cage fighter, but in December or January he is due for a long-awaited unification fight with Usyk – who must have liked what he saw from the front row. For the unbeaten Fury, it was his 34th win (one draw) in his 35th professional fight.
Going into the eagerly awaited fight against Ngannou, Fury was the clear favorite, and in the run-up the 35-year-old spoke of never being able to show his face “in public again if he loses.” Franco-Cameroonian Ngannou, 37, had never fought under conventional boxing rules before – and more than surprised everyone in Riyadh.
“I know I came up short, I will come back and work harder. Now I know I can do it,” said Ngannou.
In sporting terms the fight had little value, but financially it was all the more worthwhile for both opponents: Fury is said to have earned a fee of around 50 million US dollars, and Ngannou was also princely rewarded.