Francis Ngannou nearly pulled off a major upset against Tyson Fury with a knockdown in the third round, but ultimately lost a close split decision, leaving both fighters with admiration for each other and the possibility of a rematch in the future.
In a stunning turn of events, Francis Ngannou put up an incredible fight against Tyson Fury, coming dangerously close to an upset victory. Despite being written off by many before the fight, Ngannou showed no fear and came out swinging, trading punches with one of the most accomplished heavyweight boxers of the past three decades. His strong start led to a breathtaking moment in the third round, when he landed a powerful left hand that sent Fury crashing to the canvas.
Although Fury managed to get back on his feet, he struggled to find his rhythm throughout the fight. Despite landing more punches than Ngannou, it was a close call as the judges scored the fight in favor of Fury with a split decision. Fury acknowledged the immense challenge that Ngannou presented, recognizing him as one of the toughest opponents he’s faced in the last decade.
Ngannou, while disappointed with the result, still had a sense of satisfaction for his outstanding performance and nearly handing Fury his first professional loss. He expressed gratitude for the experience and vowed to continue improving, ready to fight again in the future. This being his first boxing match, Ngannou displayed resilience and determination, leaving room for growth in his future endeavors.
The fight itself was intense from the very beginning, with Fury aiming to test Ngannou’s capabilities. While Ngannou struggled to make effective connections early on, Fury landed a powerful right hand towards the end of the first round. Ngannou retaliated with an uppercut, drawing first blood with a cut on Fury’s forehead.
Determined to assert dominance, Fury attempted to bully Ngannou, but it proved to be a costly mistake. Ngannou responded with a massive overhand left that knocked Fury down, stunning the audience in Saudi Arabia. However, as the fight progressed, Fury adjusted his strategy, delivering impressive punches and gradually finding his rhythm. Despite Ngannou’s intimidating power, Fury’s consistent connections and higher punch count likely secured his victory on the scorecards.
While this particular fight may have concluded, both fighters expressed openness to the possibility of facing each other again in the future. Fury acknowledged his upcoming match with Oleksandr Usyk, but did not rule out a rematch with Ngannou down the line. In the end, Ngannou’s performance showcased his determination, leaving him feeling like a winner despite the close loss.
Quotes:
“That definitely wasn’t in the script,” Fury said afterward. “Francis is a hell of a fighter. Listen, he’s a very awkward man and he’s a good puncher. I respect him a lot. He was very awkward. He gave me one of my toughest fights in the last 10 years.”
“I’m feeling great. I’m very happy,” Ngannou said. “I might come up short today, I might be wounded, but I can bite. I’m just a fighter and I’m ready to fight anytime soon. We can run it back again. I’m sure I’m going to get better. This was my first boxing match. Great experience. I’m not giving any excuse. I know I came up short but I’m going to go back and work harder. With a little bit more experience, a little more feeling in the game, and come back even stronger.”
“There’s no rematch clause either way,” Fury said. “I would like to do it again down the line. I’m sure Francis would like to do it as well. We’ve got [Usyk] to deal with next and that’s what’s next for us.”