Fury survives knockdown to eke past Ngannou in Riyadh Thriller

In a thrilling and unexpected turn of events, Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion, faced a stern test in the boxing ring, surviving a third-round knockdown to narrowly defeat former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou via a split decision on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While Fury’s title wasn’t on the line, the outcome of this 10-round match has raised questions about his readiness for a highly anticipated showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.

One judge scored the bout 95-94 in favor of Ngannou, but their decision was overruled by two tallies of 96-93 and 95-94 for Fury, allowing the Englishman to secure the victory. Fury had been heavily favored with 14-1 odds to win this encounter and advance to an undisputed heavyweight championship fight against Usyk, scheduled for December 23 in Riyadh. However, Fury’s performance against Ngannou left fans and pundits in doubt about the upcoming matchup.

In a fight that defied expectations, Francis Ngannou, known for his devastating punching power in MMA but a novice in professional boxing, displayed surprising timing and technique. He managed to clip Fury with a left hook on the temple in the third round, resulting in a knockdown – Fury’s seventh in his career. Nevertheless, Fury showed his resilience by beating the count, as he had done in previous encounters.

Reflecting on the unexpected challenge, Fury commented, “That definitely wasn’t in the script. He’s a very awkward man and he’s a good puncher, and I respect him a lot… He’s given me probably one of my toughest fights in the last 10 years.”

Despite this hard-fought victory, Tyson Fury acknowledged Ngannou’s boxing skills, expressing his willingness to face him again in the future, a prospect that could potentially be a significant draw in the boxing world.

Ngannou’s transition from MMA to professional boxing was a commendable effort, considering he had never competed as a boxer in the amateurs. The 37-year-old Cameroonian showcased his versatility, landing significant punches and even switching to a southpaw stance during the fight.

“I’m a fighter,” said Ngannou. “We can run it back again, and I’m sure I will get better. This was my first boxing match. It was a great experience. I’m not giving any excuse. I know I came up short. But I’m going to go back and work harder with a little more experience and a little more feeling of the game. And I will come back even stronger.”

With Fury now moving on to his highly anticipated bout with Oleksandr Usyk, boxing fans are eager to witness the clash between two world-class fighters. Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, has proven himself against elite heavyweights, notably defeating Anthony Joshua twice.

The outcome of the Fury-Usyk fight could determine the course of the heavyweight division, potentially setting the stage for exciting future matchups, including a rematch between Fury and Ngannou. The world of boxing is in for a thrilling ride as these fighters continue to cross paths and test their mettle in the ring.