How Francis Ngannou Was Denied Victory Against Tyson Fury

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury won the bout against mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou in a split decision in Saudi Arabia on October 28.

Ngannou, 37, put Fury on the canvas in the third round after connecting with a left hook. However, the 35-year-old British fighter was able to continue, edging a 10-round fight under boxing rules.

The fight on Saturday was Ngannou’s first professional boxing match after his move from UFC, where he was the heavyweight champion. Meanwhile, Fury remains the undefeated WBC heavyweight champion.

Speaking in a ringside interview, Ngannou said “this was my first boxing match, great experience – I’m not giving any excuse. I know I came up short, I’m going to come back and work harder… now I know I can do this.”

Fury’s WBC heavyweight belt was not on the line. “That definitely wasn’t in the script”, Fury said while speaking to TNT sports. “I got caught round the back of the head. I wasn’t hurt. I got up and got back to my boxing.”

“He’s an awkward man and a good puncher and I respect him a lot. He’s given me one of my toughest fights of the last 10 years.”

In the opening round of the fight, both fighters seemed content with a slow start. In the second round, both fighters changed stances and Ngannou gave Fury a taste of his power with a left hook that left a cut on the Gypsy King’s forehead.

In round three, another left Ngannou sent Fury to the canvas, leaving him stunned. Perhaps, still reeling from the effect of the shot, Fury remained unsteady until the fifth round. By the seventh round, the damage of the fight began to show on both fighter’s faces as they retired to the corner.

In the eighth round, Fury landed a right hook, but Ngannou responded with a bout of jabs and both fighters started to exchange some big shots. The fight ended in the 10th round with a win to Fury.

The Judges scored in favor of Fury, scoring it 95-93, 95-94 to Fury and one judge giving 94-95 to Ngannou.

Meanwhile, British middleweight Chris Eubank Jr, believes Fury deserved to lose. Writing on X, he said “watching from the 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.”

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