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Former UFC fighter Ngannou virtually delivers one among boxing’s greatest upsets as he provides the heavyweight champion a scare.
WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has overwhelmed former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou on a cut up resolution in a non-title combat in Saudi Arabia that just about delivered one among boxing’s greatest upsets.
Fury, the unbeaten holder of one of many sport’s most prestigious belts, narrowly averted a primary defeat on Sunday by the hands of a 37-year-old opponent who had by no means boxed professionally earlier than however went by the complete 10 rounds with some swagger.
Ngannou, whose UFC file was 17-3, knocked down the Briton within the third spherical with a left hook, though the 35-year-old self-styled “Gypsy King” was capable of see out the spherical.
However this was a missed alternative at a serious upset. Ngannou landed solely six of 38 punches within the last two rounds, in line with CompuBox, in contrast with 14 of 37 for Fury.
Fury landed extra punches total (71-59), however Ngannou hit the mark with extra energy pictures (37-32).
Fury remained undefeated at 34-0-1 with 24 knockouts however was underneath no illusions concerning the near-upset.
“That undoubtedly wasn’t within the script,” mentioned Fury after two of the judges gave him the win 96-93 and 95-94. The third choose scored it 95-94 in favour of his Cameroon-French opponent.
“He’s a hell of a fighter and a hell of loads higher boxer than we thought he could be. He’s a clumsy man and an excellent puncher and I respect him loads.
“He’s given me one among my hardest fights of the final 10 years.”
Fury mentioned there was no rematch clause however he want to combat Ngannou once more “down the road” after an undisputed title combat with Ukraine’s IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The pair are set to satisfy in Riyadh at a date but to be introduced formally however which each champions mentioned will probably be December 23.
Ngannou mentioned he felt “unbelievable”, regardless of the loss.
“I’m very pleased. It didn’t go my approach, however I wish to thank … the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [for] the chance to show individuals fallacious yet one more time.”
The combat was inside 26,000-seat Kingdom Area, Riyadh, and the preliminary bouts had been in a close-by exterior venue constructed for the occasion.
This not solely was his first boxing match, however Ngannou had not competed in any respect since beating Ciryl Gane in UFC 270 in January 2022.
Ngannou, 37, had a falling out with the UFC earlier this yr. UFC President Dana White stripped him of his belt in January, and in Could, Ngannou signed with the rival Professional Fighters League. His first combat for the PFL is predicted to happen early subsequent yr.
“I do know I’ve come up quick, however I’m going to return and work tougher with just a little extra expertise this time, just a little extra feeling of the sport and are available again stronger,” Ngannou mentioned.
“It is a new sport that I by no means did, that I by no means match. Now I do know I can do that … prepare. The wolf is in the home.”
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