Fury Survives Knockdown To Edge Past Ngannou By Split Decision
Tyson Fury overcame Francis Ngannou in a controversial split decision after being dropped in the third round.
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion who was making his boxing debut, began the fight cautiously by staying behind the jab as Fury sought to feel out his opponent in the opening round. The second round, however, showed what the MMA fighter was capable of. Ngannou connected with a left hook, which cut Fury above the eye, as the WBC heavyweight champion appeared slow and perhaps may have overlooked his opponent. And it was that same left hook which caught Fury off guard as the latter hit the canvas in the third.
FRANCIS NGANNOU KNOCKDOWN TYSON FURY!!!!! pic.twitter.com/uoxQGwumU6
— Carlos Lamb (@CarlosLamb_) October 28, 2023
While Fury did manage to get up from the canvas, the Gypsy King was clearly rattled. Fury, however, fought back by boxing behind the jab to take the decision on the scorecards: 94-95, 96-93, 95-94. The win keeps the undisputed heavyweight championship bout with Oleksandr Usyk alive. As for Ngannou, the MMA fighter exceeded expectations with a solid boxing debut.
Post-Fight Comments
“That definitely wasn’t in the script. I got caught round the back of the head [for the knockdown]. 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,” Fury
“My training camp was only three and a half months and I came into this with an injury. 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. Now I know I can do this, get ready. The wolf is in the house,” Ngannou
Social Media Response
Craziest part of the fight. It was a close split decision. Depending on the judges, Francis could’ve won the split decision.
This is his first pro boxing match and he’s able to compete against the boxing heavyweight champion. Francis Ngannou has proven himself as a boxer.
— Vision Opticals (@visionopticshop) October 29, 2023
Fury lost that. Ngannou robbed. Shocked. Whole household are shocked. Fury knew he lost. #FURYNGANNOU
— The Schedule (@TheScheduleUK) October 28, 2023
Fury lost
Francis V Usyk should be next in riyadh— Sandwich (@SandwichBurger1) October 28, 2023