In an electrifying bout that took the boxing world by storm, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury narrowly escaped defeat at the hands of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The ten-round fight, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was a rollercoaster of power punches and tactical prowess.
Ngannou's Surprising Debut
Making his boxing debut, 37-year-old Ngannou managed to outbox 35-year-old Fury for a significant portion of the fight. He even knocked down the British champion in the third round, shocking spectators worldwide. However, Fury rallied back, winning by slim margins (94-95, 96-93, 95-94) and thus avoiding the first loss of his professional career.
"He's a hell of a fighter and 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, acknowledging Ngannou's surprising performance.
A Controversial Decision
The decision has sparked controversy among boxing experts who had pegged Ngannou as the underdog. Many believe "The Predator" was unjustly denied the win. Despite his aggressive approach, Ngannou demonstrated discipline and control throughout the match.
Boxing website Bad Left Hook reported that Fury seemed to lack peak physical condition, with his stamina notably lacking in the early rounds. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn echoed this sentiment, claiming that Ngannou won "by two rounds" and that "Tyson Fury looked like he's never laced a pair of gloves before."
Hearn further stoked the flames of controversy by calling for "The Gypsy King" to offer Ngannou a rematch or face Britain's two-time world champion Anthony Joshua. "AJ will knock Tyson Fury out within six rounds. Make the fight; otherwise, we'll never get it," Hearn asserted.
By The Numbers: Fury's Narrow Victory
Despite the controversy, Compubox stats revealed that Fury landed more total punches than Ngannou. Out of 223 attempts, Fury landed 71 punches, while Ngannou landed 59 of his 231 attempted blows. 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, the final two rounds saw Ngannou land only six punches to Fury's 13, likely swaying the judges' decision in Fury's favor. Yet, Ngannou outshone Fury in power punches throughout the fight, landing 37 to Fury's 32.
What's Next: Fury vs. Usyk
Following the bout, Oleksandr Usyk, Fury's next scheduled opponent, entered the ring and confronted him. Both fighters are unbeaten and hold unified heavyweight titles, making their upcoming clash highly anticipated.
The date for their bout remains uncertain, with speculation that Fury may need to postpone due to a cut he received during the fight against Ngannou. Frank Warren, Fury's promoter, hinted at a possible delay, stating that Fury needs "at least a bit of time to get himself, his body, back into shape."
Usyk, on the other hand, insisted that the fight take place on the agreed date of December 23. He argued that if Fury could not meet the agreed date, he should vacate his title. As negotiations continue, boxing fans around the world eagerly await what promises to be an epic showdown between two titans of the sport.