WBC heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury expressed his astonishment at the skills displayed by UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou after their recent bout ended in a controversial split decision on Sunday morning, October 29.
Fury, known for his prowess in the boxing ring, admitted that the fight didn’t go as expected and hailed Ngannou as a formidable opponent.
“He’s given me one of my toughest fights in the last 10 years. That definitely wasn’t in the script,” Fury said. “He’s one hell of a fighter. He’s strong, a big puncher, and a lot better as a boxer than we thought he would ever be.”
The fight, held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, proved to be an unexpected challenge for Fury.
In the third round, Ngannou knocked the heavyweight champion to the canvas, bringing him as close to defeat as anyone has come in recent years.
READ ALSO: Fury vs. Ngannou: Split Decision Victory for Tyson Fury
While Fury ultimately claimed victory with a split decision, the outcome was met with controversy.
Fury acknowledged that Ngannou’s approach was unconventional, stating, “He’s a very awkward man, and he’s a good puncher. I respect him a lot, before the fight and afterward.
He wasn’t coming forward. He was just standing back, waiting for me to land my punches and then trying to counter. He’s a good fighter. He’s given me probably one of my toughest fights in the last 10 years.”
Although Fury secured the win, Ngannou’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, considering it was his professional boxing debut.
BOXING IS RIGGED! Most corrupt sport.
Tyson Fury defeats Tyson Ngannou #furyvsngannou pic.twitter.com/RYbq7F5TrT
— Nina-Marie Daniele (@ninamdrama) October 28, 2023The judges scored the fight with two in favor of Fury at 96-93 and 95-94, while a third judge saw it in favor of Ngannou at 95-94.
Despite the win, there is uncertainty surrounding Fury’s scheduled undisputed heavyweight championship fight with Oleksandr Usyk on December 23.
Fury sustained an injury to his face during the fight, and the proposed date may be in jeopardy.
On social media, the hashtags #Robbed and #Racism trended after the fight, with some boxing fans alleging that Ngannou was unfairly treated in the decision. Regardless, Fury emphasized, “I got the win, and that’s what it is.”
The world will continue to watch with bated breath as the boxing and UFC worlds react to this unexpected and controversial showdown.