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Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou: Former UFC heavyweight champion denied astonishing upset win in non-title clash

Tyson Fury took on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a 10-round non-title bout in Riyadh; Ngannou was having his first professional boxing contest yet knocked down Fury in the third round – only to be denied victory as Fury escaped with a contentious split-decision win

Image:Francis Ngannou puts Tyson Fury down in the third round

Tyson Fury escaped from Francis Ngannou with a contentious split-decision victory after their 10-round non-title bout in Saudi Arabia.

Despite being knocked down in the third round, Fury took the result 96-93 and 95-94 on two of the judges’ cards. The other judge had it 95-94 for Ngannou.

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Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou was fighting Fury in this crossover event.

Image:Fury struggles to control Ngannou

Fury is the WBC champion and widely regarded as the leading heavyweight in the sport. He is unbeaten as a professional, while Ngannou, in contrast, was boxing as a pro for the first time in this scheduled 10-rounder.

Fury’s title could not be on the line against an opponent with no professional boxing experience.

But the mixed martial arts star pushed him desperately close. After blasting Fury over with a tremendous left hook in the third, Ngannou exerted impressive control in many of the subsequent rounds, only for Fury to emerge with the narrow and controversial split-decision win.

Fury had to acknowledge: “That definitely wasn’t in the script.”

“He’s given me probably one of my toughest fights in the last 10 years,” Fury continued.

“Francis is a hell of a fighter, strong, big puncher, and a lot better boxer than we all thought he would be.

“He’s a very awkward man and he’s a good puncher and I respect him a lot.”

Ngannou could hardly have been blamed if he had condemned that judging.

But he did not complain, merely reflecting: “It didn’t go my way.

“I might have come up short today,” he continued. “I’ll come back.”