The boxing world has gone into meltdown after Tyson Fury won his heavyweight battle with UFC fighter Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
After going the full 10 rounds in a bout dubbed ‘The Battle of the Baddest’, ‘The Gypsy King’ was awarded the points, but it was not without controversy.
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In the finish, both fighters were celebrating, but it was Fury lifting the belt, winning in a split decision (95-94 Ngannou, 96-93 Fury, 95-94 Fury).
The UK veteran started reasonably well and landed some tidy punches.
However, Ngannou – who has a 17-3 UFC record – gobbled them up and then had Fury on the deck in Round 3, after a big left hook to the head.
WBC champion Fury now remains undefeated at 34-0-1 with 24 knockouts.
But following the result, the boxing world erupted with one word a common theme.
“ROBBERY,” one fan screamed on social media.
“Francis robbed,” said another.
And another said: “No, correction. Fury got spanked and a couple of corrupt judges stepped in for him.”
While another said: “Oh dear – 3rd fight I’ve watched in a row with this level of controversy. Not helping the sport at all. Absolutely amazing Ngannou.”
Even the commentators said the 35-year-old Englishman had been “very lucky”.
Briefly in the second round, Ngannou made some headway, opening a cut above Fury’s left eye.
And with 43 seconds remaining in the third round, Ngannou sent Fury to the floor – the seventh time the ‘Gypsy King’ has been knocked down in his career.
“That definitely wasn’t in the script,” Fury said after the fight.
“He’s a hell of a fighter and a hell of a lot better boxer than we thought he would be.
“He’s given me one of my toughest fights of the last 10 years.”
Fury found himself hanging on at times, and fans chanted “Francis, Francis” in support of the challenger early in the 10th round.
The fact the fight went the distance was an upset in itself.
Taking on Ngannou was the latest venture for the charismatic British fighter, who has appeared in the WWE wrestling series and been the focal point of a Netflix reality show.
The money, a reported $US50 million ($A79 million), to open Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season entertainment festival also likely piqued his interest.
It was definitely a move out of the comfort zone for Ngannou – a Cameroon native, Las Vegas resident and former UFC heavyweight champion more accustomed to fighting in an octagon cage.
Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, who also made the trip to Saudi Arabia, helped Ngannou get ready for his boxing debut.
This not only was his first boxing match, but Ngannou hasn’t competed at all since beating Ciryl Gane in January 2022, following a falling out with the UFC earlier this year.
– With AAP
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