2023-10-29 03:41:18
The clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday October 28 between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou turned to the advantage of the former. At the end of the ten rounds contested in English boxing, a first for the Cameroonian, the Briton was named winner on points by a split decision from the judges. A verdict far from unanimous.
Published on: 10/29/2023 – 02:41
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The “Battle of the baddest” took a while to start in Riyadh, for a few hours the world capital of combat sports with this heavyweight clash between the WBC world champion, Tyson Fury, and the former UFC world champion – in mixed martial arts (MMA) –, Francis Ngannou. After some delays, the expected face-to-face and the Cameroonian’s first steps in English boxing took place, in front of an audience of celebrities – Cristiano Ronaldo, Eminem and Mike Tyson, among others, were present.
Older (37 years old versus 35 years old), smaller (1.93m versus 2.06m) and logically less experienced, Francis Ngannou was faced with a hell of a challenge: bringing down the immense Tyson Fury, undefeated in 34 professional fights. It was also, for the Cameroonian, about closing the technical gap; although he displays a physical form which sometimes raises questions, the Briton nonetheless remains an expert in the ring, very mobile and capable of dominating beasts like Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder.
Ngannou knocks Fury to the mat in the third round
In the ring, Ngannou was not impressed by the stakes. Responding to the challenge of the “Gypsy King” (“King of the Gypsies”), the Cameroonian fighter attacked, absorbed, countered… And in the third round, he thrilled the public by sending his opponent to the ground with a left on the forehead. There are not many who have managed to knock Fury out. All things considered, the Briton had the time and the capacity to get up without much difficulty and resume the fight.
With his power that made him successful in MMA, the “Predator” maintained a constant threat to his opponent throughout the fight. In the eighth round, an acceleration shook Fury again. The WBC champion responded regularly thanks to his eye and his speed which allowed him to break the Cameroonian’s guard and touch him several times.
A balanced fight, all in all, with a better impression coming from Ngannou. Beginner’s appeal perhaps, and of course that image of the “Predator” towering over the downed “Gypsy King” in the third round.
« Everyone in the know knows that Francis won »
When the bell rang for the end of the tenth and final round, applause rose from the stands for both men. It was probably not the fight of the year, nor a memorable performance for a Fury who we knew had more legs. But the bookmakers, who thought they were seeing the Briton teach the Cameroonian neophyte a lesson, were wrong.
While waiting for the judges’ decision, Francis Ngannou had a smile. Then came the time to know the count of the judges. And the shower was cold: one of them named Ngannou the winner 95-94, but the other two named Fury the winner 96-93 and 95-94. It is therefore a victory on points by split decision for the Briton, satisfied despite the boos coming from the stands. This was his toughest fight in ten years “, he conceded.
A fine player, Francis Ngannou kept his smile when giving his impressions: “ It was my first boxing fight, a great experience. I’m not looking for an excuse. It was my first boxing fight, I will come back, I will work even harder. I know now that I can do it. »
On social networks, notably X (formerly Twitter), many Internet users, both unknown and very famous, quickly expressed their indignation at the result. Disappointed, basketball player LeBron James grumbled: “ Exactly why I don’t watch boxing! Seriously guys! » The French MMA fighter, Morgan Chapa, went even harder: “ What is this corrupt sport? »
His Franco-Cameroonian counterpart, the whimsical Cédric Doumbé, said: “ Everyone in the know knows that Francis won. For the honor of boxing, they couldn’t make him the winner. Well done Francis Ngannou. »
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