Toba Owojaiye Reporting
In a contentious bout in Saudi Arabia, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury faced off against former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou. Despite Fury’s early knockdown in the third round, the judges delivered a split decision, with two scoring it 96-93 and 95-94 in favor of Fury and one judge at 95-94 for Ngannou. Fury’s heavyweight belt was not at stake in this non-title 10-round match.
Ngannou, making his professional boxing debut, started cautiously behind his jab, while Fury took his time to assess his opponent. In the second round, Fury felt the power of Ngannou’s left hook as a cut opened on his forehead. The fight took a dramatic turn in the third round when Fury was floored by the same punch. However, Fury regained his composure and started finding his rhythm in the fifth round, landing a one-two combination.
As the match progressed, Ngannou continued to connect with heavy punches, making it appear that the scorecards were against Fury. In the seventh round, Fury lunged forward but stumbled, deemed a slip. Despite the damage to his face, Fury was awarded the victory, extending his undefeated record to 35 wins and 1 draw.
Fury’s win sets the stage for a blockbuster bout with Oleksandr Usyk, the WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion. An undisputed heavyweight contest has been discussed for December 23, but Fury’s injuries might hinder a quick turnaround.
The fight in Riyadh had a unique setup, taking place in a separate ring and arena from the undercard. The event featured musical performances and a grand entrance for both fighters, who sat on gold thrones before entering the ring.
The event in Riyadh attracted numerous celebrities, including Conor McGregor, Sadio Mane, Manny Pacquiao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kanye West, Eminem, and many more. It was part of the ‘Riyadh Season’ entertainment events festival, although Saudi Arabia’s growing involvement in global sports has faced criticism due to its human rights record.
Despite the controversies surrounding Saudi Arabia’s sports ventures, the country’s leadership remains committed to hosting elite sporting events, using them as a means to bolster its international reputation.
Cristiano Ronaldo has given Francis N’gannou a brand new customised wrist watch as a sign of admiration and support following anticipations towards his big fight with Tyson Fury.
The watch is reportedly worth about $115k.