Francis Ngannou just exceeded everyone’s expectations by lasting 10 rounds against Tyson Fury. Moreover, the MMA fighter did not just last those rounds, he thrived. He asserted dominance over Fury for a good chunk of the fight. However, the decision from the judges did not go his way.
#FuryNgannou result: Tyson Fury defeats Francis Ngannou via split decision (94-95, 96-93, 95-94) pic.twitter.com/xeRZYQX9Oi
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) October 28, 2023
Ngannou made his boxing debut against the WBC Heavyweight champion, Fury, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Celebrities from all across the world made their way to watch a highly-anticipated boxing bout. Fury started the bout as a favorite, however, that changed quickly.
After an even first round, Ngannou drew first blood from Fury’s forehead in the second round. In the third round, Ngannou became just the third boxer to knock Fury down. Fans were surprised at how Ngannou’s boxing skills were on show on the night.
Since that moment, Ngannou and Fury looked evenly matched. Although Fury’s boxing maturity was visible, it did not bring him any outright advantage. After the 10 rounds were over, many people thought Ngannou would claim the win via a decision. However, Fury was adjudged the winner via a split decision.
Later, it was announced the post-fight press conference had been canceled. This outraged fans even more who believed the conference was canceled because the boxing community could not face the questions they were about to be asked. One fan wrote, “Fury must’ve ran away.”
Fury must’ve ran away.#FuryvsNgannou
— M 🌹 (@ShockerMax) October 29, 2023
Another wrote, “They are trying to save Fury’s a*s!”
Although the post-match press conferences were canceled, the fighters still got a chance to speak after the fight in the ring.
Tyson Fury believes it was a close fight against Francis Ngannou but accepts himself as the winner
Ngannou won hearts with his boxing performance and he won hearts again with his post-fight speech. The MMA fighter did not want to make any excuses and wanted to come back to boxing soon.
“My training camp was only three and a half months and I came into this with an injury,” he said, according to The Athletic.
“But I don’t want to give excuses. I will look at what I can do next to improve my game to come back even better.
“I’m getting ready to come here and take over.”
“I got the win and that’s what it is.”
Tyson Fury on winning a split decision against Francis Ngannou 👀#BattleOfTheBaddest | #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/qB1moupXLn
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) October 28, 2023
On the other hand, Fury claimed he was hit on the back of his head before he was knocked down by Ngannou. He said, “I was caught behind the head for the knockdown. I got back up and got back to my boxing.”
He claimed he did not know how close it was but he won the fight. “I don’t know how close it was. I got the win and that’s what it is.”
However, he did show immense respect to his opponent. Fury said, “He’s a hell of a fighter and a hell of 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.”
The undefeated British boxer even claimed that Ngannou was probably his toughest fight in the last 10 years. It will be interesting to see how Ngannou’s boxing career progresses from here.