In an unexpected turn of events, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury managed to hold onto his title after a controversial split decision victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The ten-round fight, which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saw 37-year-old Ngannou outbox 35-year-old Fury for the majority of the match, even knocking the British champion down in Round 3. However, Fury was able to rally and secure a narrow win with scores of 94-95, 96-93, and 95-94, thus avoiding the first loss of his professional career.
A Controversial Victory
Ngannou, making his boxing debut, surprised many with his disciplined and aggressive performance. "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," said Fury in his post-fight comments. Despite being dubbed an underdog by many boxing experts, Ngannou fought with conviction and control, causing some to question the fairness of the final decision.
Reports from boxing website Bad Left Hook suggested that Fury was not at his physical peak during the fight, with his stamina notably lacking in the early rounds. This sentiment was echoed by Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who maintained that Ngannou had won "by two rounds" and went so far as to suggest that "Tyson Fury looked like he's never laced a pair of gloves before." Hearn has since called for a rematch or for Fury to face Britain's two-time world champion Anthony Joshua.
The Stats Tell a Story
While there is controversy surrounding the decision, the statistics reveal a more nuanced picture. According to Compubox, Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) landed 71 of his 223 punches, while Ngannou (0-1) managed to connect with 59 of his 231. Fury was also the more active fighter in six of the ten rounds, edging out Ngannou who took three rounds, with one round ending in a tie.
Despite landing more power punches throughout the fight, 37 to 32, Ngannou's performance faltered in the final two rounds where he landed only six punches compared to Fury's 13. This likely swayed the judges' decision in favor of Fury. Regardless of the controversy, Fury acknowledged his opponent's prowess, stating, "I don't know how close it was, but I got the win, and that's what it is."
A Future Uncertain: Fury vs. Usyk
Following the bout, Oleksandr Usyk entered the ring, setting the stage for the next scheduled fight against Fury. Both fighters are unbeaten and hold unified heavyweight titles. However, the proposed date for their clash in Riyadh on December 23 remains uncertain as Fury and his promoter, Frank Warren, were non-committal after the taxing fight with Ngannou.
Warren explained that Fury needs "at least a bit of time to get himself, his body, back into shape" before going into another camp. He predicts an early return to camp for the Briton next year. Usyk, however, insists that the fight should take place on the agreed date of December 23, arguing that Fury should vacate his title if he cannot meet this commitment. As negotiations continue, the boxing world waits with bated breath for what promises to be another thrilling encounter.