In a stunning display of resilience, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury managed to retain his title after a hard-fought battle against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The fight, which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ended in a split decision over ten rounds, sparking controversy among boxing enthusiasts and experts alike.
Fury Survives Knockdown
Ngannou, 37, making his debut in the world of professional boxing, showcased an impressive performance against the British champion, Fury, 35. He even managed to knock Fury down in Round 3, a feat that sent shockwaves through the audience. Despite this early setback, Fury demonstrated his fighting spirit, rallying to win by narrow margins (94-95, 96-93, 95-94) and thus averting the first loss of his professional career.
"He's a hell of a fighter and a hell of a lot better boxer than we thought he would be," said Fury in praise of his opponent post-fight. "He's an awkward man and a good puncher, and I respect him a lot."
Controversy Surrounds Decision
The verdict has been met with criticism from many quarters, particularly as Ngannou was seen as the underdog going into the fight. Critics argue that "The Predator" was unjustly denied the win. Ngannou's disciplined yet aggressive approach was lauded, demonstrating that he wasn't reckless in his debut boxing match.
Boxing website Bad Left Hook pointed out that Fury seemed to lack peak physical condition, with his stamina notably dwindling in the early rounds. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn echoed this sentiment, stating that Ngannou won "by two rounds" and that "Tyson Fury looked like he's never laced a pair of gloves before."
Stats Speak Volumes
Compubox statistics revealed that despite Ngannou landing more power punches, Fury had the upper hand in total punches landed. Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) landed 71 of 223 punches, while Ngannou (0-1) landed 59 of 231. Furthermore, Fury was the more active fighter in six out of ten rounds.
In the final two rounds, Ngannou could only land six punches, while Fury managed to land 13, likely swaying the judges' decision. However, it's worth noting that Ngannou did land more power punches throughout the fight, 37 to 32.
Upcoming Bout: Fury vs. Usyk
Following the match, Oleksandr Usyk entered the ring and confronted Fury, his next scheduled opponent. Both fighters are unbeaten and hold unified heavyweight titles. However, the date for their clash remains uncertain as Fury sustained a cut during his fight with Ngannou.
Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, expressed doubts about confirming the December 23 date just yet. "Tyson's got a cut there. We'll see how it heals," said Warren, implying the potential postponement of the title unification against the Ukrainian.
Despite the uncertainty, Usyk insisted that the fight with Fury take place on the agreed date, arguing that Fury should vacate his title if he could not fight on the agreed date. The boxing world now waits with bated breath for this high-stakes match-up.