In a high-stakes clash between two combat sports giants, Tyson Fury faced off against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a 10-round non-title bout held in Riyadh. The boxing world was left stunned as Ngannou, in his first-ever professional boxing match, sent Fury to the canvas with a third-round knockdown.
However, controversy loomed as Fury managed to secure a contentious split-decision victory.
Despite tasting the canvas in the third round, Fury managed to convince two of the judges, who scored the fight 96-93 and 95-94 in his favor.
The third judge saw it differently, awarding a 95-94 scorecard to Ngannou.
This showdown was a captivating crossover event, pitting former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou against the undefeated WBC champion, Tyson Fury, widely recognized as the top heavyweight in the boxing world.
Fury’s championship belt was not at stake in this encounter, given Ngannou’s lack of professional boxing experience. However, Ngannou, a renowned mixed martial artist, came incredibly close to pulling off the upset.
Following his explosive left hook in the third round, Ngannou exhibited remarkable control in several subsequent rounds, setting the stage for Fury to escape with a narrow and controversial split-decision triumph.