The much anticipated fixture between WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury and former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou happened this weekend and the fight lived up to the hype. At the end of the day, Fury went home as the winner after a controversial split decision victory. A lot of boxing and MMA fans alike felt Ngannou should have taken victory.
While one judge scored the fight 95-94 in favor of Ngannou, two judges gave it to Fury with scores of 96-93 and 95-94.
The highlight of the match was when Ngannou, making his professional boxing debut, surprised the entire world after he launched a left that sent Fury to the canvas in the third round.
The fight was a friendly match, so there was nothing to gain or lose for both sides. Fury was quick to praise Ngannou’s skill and power, describing him as the man who gave him one of his toughest fights in the last decade. And that is quite weighty coming from Fury.
The opening rounds saw a tentative Ngannou using his jab while Fury appeared content with a slow start, trying to gauge his opponent. Fury experienced Ngannou’s power in the second round, suffering a cut on his forehead from a left hook.
The fight took a dramatic turn in the third round when Fury was knocked down after being struck behind the right ear by the same punch. However, Fury regained his rhythm in the fifth round, connecting with a one-two combination.
As the match progressed, Fury began to utilize his jab more effectively, but Ngannou still managed to land heavy punches. Something happened in the seventh round when Fury lunged forward, missed Ngannou, and fell to his knees, which the referee ruled as a slip rather than a knockdown.
The final bell rang with both fighters displaying signs of wear and tear. Some part of the crowd was expecting Ngannou to be announced as the winner, but the scorecards favoured the British boxer, extending Fury’s unbeaten record to 35, with 34 wins and one draw.
Despite his defeat, Ngannou expressed his determination to improve his boxing skills and return stronger, stating, “Now I know I can do this; get ready. The wolf is in the house.”
Leon Osamor
