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Tyson Fury defeats Francis Ngannou after wild 10 round fight

Fans simply couldn’t believe what it was seeing as MMA fighter Francis Ngannou floored the heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

James McKernJames McKern
@jLmcKern
8 min read
October 29, 2023 - 6:10PM
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 28: Francis Ngannou knocks down Tyson Fury during the Heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou at Boulevard Hall on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 28: Francis Ngannou knocks down Tyson Fury during the Heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou at Boulevard Hall on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The boxing world was just treated to arguably the most outrageous crossover fight we’re ever likely to see.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou threw everything he had at boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in an incredible 10 rounds in Saudi Arabia.

BOXING: Fury v Ngannou SUN 29th OCT 4AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

In the end it was Fury who had his hand raised after securing the split decision victory (96-93, 95-94, 94-95) but it was Ngannou who stole the show.

The heavy underdog shocked the world when he sent the champion of the world to the canvas in the third round with a monster overhand left hook.

In an exchange of blows the hook caught Fury lacking and landed flush on his temple, flooring him and sending the boxing world wild.

“That shot shook everybody around the world. What’s crazier is his chin was better than the knockdown. He just walked through every shot,” one commentator said.

Fury looked all out of sorts in the following round as Ngannou grew in confidence as boxing fans started to believe an upset could be on the cards.

The British champ got back to basics and turned the tide back in his favour as he took control of the contest and picked the challenger apart through feints and jabs.

Fury admitted after the fight it was his toughest challenge over the past decade.

“That definitely wasn’t in the script,” Fury said.

“He’s given me probably one of my toughest fights in the last 10 years.

“Francis is a hell of fighter, strong, big puncher, and a lot better boxer than we all thought he would be.

“He’s a very awkward man and he’s a good puncher and I respect him a lot.”

The scorecards saw one judge hand the win to Ngannou but it was Fury who claimed the victory on the other two. It was a result that didn’t sit well with all fans.

Nate Diaz wrote: “Tyson Fury lost and the boxing commentary biased af dumba**es then need to learn how to box.”

Fellow heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk sat ringside watching the fight unfold before he entered the ring after the bout.

Usyk and Fury came face to face and jawed at one-another with a rumoured fight on December 23 being floated.

It is highly unlikely that date will end up being the date when they square off after Fury copped a cut on his forehead and looked more beat up than many had expected.

The display from Fury was torn to shreds during the post-fight coverage with pundits believing it showed the heavyweight champ was washed up.

“Tyson Fury looked a little bit washed tonight and I don’t know why,” Todd Grisham said on DAZN.

“No matter what brave face they (promoters) put on, they’re embarrassed. If he lost he would have been humiliated. This could have been a complete disaster for boxing and for Tyson Fury’s career.

“He went down a big peg tonight.”

Grisham said Ngannou will be disappointed watching a replay because of how inactive he was in the final two rounds.

“He could have won this fight. He should have won this fight. Tyson on the cards didn’t lose, but I think he lost his mystique,” he said.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 28: Francis Ngannou knocks down Tyson Fury during the Heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou at Boulevard Hall on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 28: Francis Ngannou knocks down Tyson Fury during the Heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou at Boulevard Hall on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“When he said at the end there, ‘We should clear the ring out, let’s go’ — nobody’s buying it anymore. No one’s going to look at him now and say he’s the pound for pound king.”

Former world champion Barry Jones said on the broadcast Ngannou was the “only real winner” from the fight.

“A first time boxer does that to you? That’s honestly embarrassing,” he said.

“That tonight was awful. From start to finish. He looked tentative. Afraid at times. He looked like a guy who had run out of ideas and I never thought I would say that about Tyson Fury.”

DAZN sport commentator Ade Oladipo said: “I’m still quite speechless by what I’ve just seen. That’s embarrassing for boxing that was”.

Steve Bunce, boxing expert, said on TNT: “ That was a dreadful Tyson Fury performance. He got away with one tonight, he really did”.

Former British champion Chris Eubank Jr, writing on X, said: “Fury deserved to lose after having so much trouble against a man who has never boxed before. Too much time filming Netflix specials not enough time in the gym I’m guessing.”

A fellow DAZN commentator went even further: “I think the whole perception of his resume is tarnished now. People are going to look at Tyson Fury a lot different then they did before.”

Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou - Round by round updates

Round 1: And after two hours the fight is underway. Fury came out with a big overhand right that Ngannou went under. The British champ landed the heavier shots of the opening round as Ngannou felt his way around the ring. 10-9 Fury

Round 2: Very quiet and tentative start from Ngannou as the Gypsy King feints and picks his spots. A small cut has opened on the forehead of Fury, nothing major just a small spot of blood. Fury 20-18

Round 3: Ngannou lands his best shot of the fight with a left hook. The confidence has to be growing for the underdog. With under a minute to go the heavyweight champ hit the canvas. An overhand left was the shot that floored Fury. WOW. 28-28

Round 4: This is officially outrageous. Ngannou has all the confidence in the world and Fury looks like he’s rattled. 38-37 Ngannou

Round 5: The two men traded heavy shots in the opening stages of the fifth, a little slip from Ngannou kept a monstrous right hand from finding a home on the head of Fury. The champ got his composure back and landed a big one-two straight down the pipe. 47-47.

Round 6: The feints and rhythm have come back to life for Fury as he dances around the ring and picks Ngannou off from all angles. The guard of the challenger is wide open as fatigue looks to be setting in. 57-56 Fury.

Round 7: Fury is keeping the fight at distance and working behind his jabs, Ngannou is relying on any counter openings but the Gypsy King is in complete control of the bout now. 67-65 Fury.

Round 8: A solid left hand from Ngannou forced Fury into the corner, but he wasn’t able to follow it up with anything meaningful. Halfway through the round the challenger unleashed several big shots before Fury responded with his own heavy right hand but Ngannou just walked through it. 76-75 Fury.

Round 9: This is outrageous. Nobody expected Ngannou to still be standing let alone potentially tied up with the heavyweight champ of the world. Fury landed the more telling shots of the round, to the tenth we go. 86-84 Fury.

Round 10: The opening minute of the final round was a lot of feeling out, no man wanted to reach for the potentially big blow. Fury kept throwing feints as Ngannou looked for the home run with a superman punch. A truly amazing spectacle we’ve just witnessed. 96-93 Fury.

9.25am - After an eternity, the fight is here

Both men are set to walk out of their changerooms and onto the main stage. It’s only taken what’s felt like 74 hours.

Ngannou walks out with Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman behind him and Mike Tyson following closely behind those two.

The heavyweight champ is now making his entrance to the ring by jogging around and giving the crowd a shadow boxing display on the stage as Pretty Woman blares over the speakers.

8.50am - Pre-fight concert still going

The build up to this fight has been extraordinarily long. Almost an hour after the co-main event came to an end there has been no sign of either fighter emerging from their rooms.

7.50am - Ugly scenes unfold after KO

Fabio Wardley has defended his British heavyweight title in dominant fashion after scoring the TKO win over challenger David Adeleye.

The champ sent Adeleye to the canvas with a tick under a minute to go in the seventh round, Adeleye got back to his feet and the fight continued.

But so did the onslaught and eventually the referee stepped in to wave the fight off, much to the dismay of the challenger.

Adeleye pushed the referee after the fight was stopped before appearing to punch the man in charge in the stomach.

7.05am - Stars out in force for boxing showdown

The big names are piling in to catch a glimpse of Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou.

Football legend Ronaldo strolled in to the crowd shortly ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo while MMA superstar Conor McGregor pulled up.

6.30am - Parker delivers sickening uppercut

Joseph Parker has continued the knockout trend on the main card with a hellacious right uppercut in the third round.

The shot from Parker landed flush on the chin of opponent Simon Kean and sent him tumbling to the canvas.

Kean attempted to get back to his feet but the referee ultimately waved the bout off, handing Parker the knockout victory.

6am - Fury vs Ngannou full card

Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, heavyweights

Fabio Wardley def. David Adeleye via seventh-round TKO

Joseph Parker def. Simon Kean via third-round KO

Arslanbek Makhmudov def. Junior Anthony Wright via first-round TKO

Moses Itauma def. Istvan Bernath via first-round TKO

Brutal Fury sledge as rival’s payday revealed

Former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou has been a bit of a punching bag for Tyson Fury in the lead up to their fight, but there seems to be very good reason.

Fury is the odds on favourite to make short work of the UFC champ, but it’ll be Ngannou who’s laughing all the way to the bank.

In his career, Ngannou has reportedly made $US3,779,500 ($A6m) according to MMA salaries for his UFC career.

However, he’ll reportedly make £10 million ($A19.1m) for stepping into the squared circle with Fury.

Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou will settle their rivalry. Photo: Twitter
Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou will settle their rivalry. Photo: Twitter

It’s nothing compared to the $A50m Fury is believed to be making but a lot more than he got in the UFC.

Ngannou’s manager Marquel Martin told MMA Fighting earlier in the year: “Oh my god, (it’s bigger than career UFC earnings). I mean, by far. By multiples.

“Just to make (this money) even while being champion, he would’ve had to fight multiple times just to (be in this ballpark).”

But it’s meant that Fury has been able to treat him like a plaything.

In the weigh in, after Ngannou feigned a punch, Fury then had his fun.

“It’s like a table tennis champion facing Djokovic in the Wimbledon final — totally different,” the WBC heavyweight champion said.

Fury then pushed his forehead into Ngannou’s face before the UFC great responded with a chest bump.

“I have played this game so long. This can’t get to me. It’s part of the game,” Ngannou said of Fury’s antics.

Both men predicted a quick finish.

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“We’re going to take a couple of minutes at the beginning, but I think this fight will end very quick,” Ngannou said.

Fury replied: “I’m going to make it nice and short for him.”

Fury then said he’ll take a week off before negotiating with Oleksandr Usyk to fight for all four heavyweight belts, which has been predicted for December.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/boxing/tyson-fury-vs-francis-ngannou-live/news-story/95f790cf63326ad8c3dbc3d0f2d4e1ce