Francis Ngannou made his boxing debut against WBC Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 28, 2023. The former UFC Heavyweight champion was expected to crumble under the undefeated champion’s punches. However, Ngannou thrived. The Cameroonian fighter punched Fury and he meant each and every punch but somehow it was not enough.
Ngannou seemed to dominate the bout from the very beginning. He drew first blood from Fury’s forehead and even knocked him down in the third round. Fury’s boxing prowess was visible, however, it did not seem enough. Ngannou lasted the 10 rounds against Fury and many people believed he did enough to grab the win. The judges, however, adjudged Fury as a winner via split decision.
Tyson’s father, John Fury, and half-brother, Tommy Fury, were interviewed by Seconds Out after the fight. John said, “Well, he [Tyson] keeps getting up off the floor with thunderous punches and winning, and that takes a champion and a half doesn’t it?”
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When asked if he was impressed by Ngannou’s performance, John said, “Of course, I was impressed by him [Ngannou]. A big, strong man, the hardest puncher in recorded history, but what happens when the big GK [Gyspy King] gets up off the floor to win?”
Tommy claimed Tyson had the true heart of a champion but credited Ngannou for his performance. “All credits to Ngannou. He’s a difficult man to box, isn’t he? He’s got dynamite in both hands”
Many around the world believed that the decision was not a true reflection of the fight. The judges scored the bout 94-95, 96-93, and 95-94. Contrary to what many others thought, John believed Tyson could have won via a unanimous decision.
John Fury believes Tyson Fury should have won the bout against Francis Ngannou unanimously
Right after the 10 rounds were completed and the results were announced, John was interviewed by FightHub TV in the crowd. He claimed that according to him Tyson won the fight unanimously. He would give Ngannou the round that knocked Tyson down. However, not much else went the MMA fighter’s way, according to John.
Like his father, Tyson also claimed that the decision was made and it was what it was. He did not know how close the fight was but he accepted the win and moved on.
Tyson will now prepare to face Oleksandr Usyk as both fighters confirmed they are looking forward to facing each other in the coming months.