In the much-anticipated crossover boxing clash, Tyson Fury emerged victorious against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia. The former UFC heavyweight champion delivered a commendable performance. He even floored Fury in the third round. However, it controversially earned Fury a split-decision win.
Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion, weighed in on the bout. He applauded both fighters but emphasized that Fury’s inability to hurt Ngannou made the fight even more thrilling. He was in awe of the heavyweight boxing scene after witnessing such bouts from ringside.
Francis Ngannou KO Tyson Fury
Making his boxing debut, UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou surprised fans with his dominant performance against Fury. However, Tyson Fury secured a narrow victory. The split-decision win came after a hard-fought match, with Fury recovering from a knockdown in the third round.
Training with boxing legend Mike Tyson, Ngannou’s raw power was evident in the bout. Moreover, he showcased his power by flooring Tyson Fury in the intense third round. However, Fury managed to get back on his feet. Exhaustion was evident on both sides by the ninth round. However, the judges tilted in Fury’s favor, thus, sparking debate among fans and calls for a rematch.
The likes of Eminem and Cristiano Ronaldo as spectators added to the bout’s grandeur which was billed as the “Battle of the Baddest.” Fury managed to land heavy blows in the initial round. However, Ngannou’s rock-solid chin stood out. The third-round knockdown was reminiscent of Fury’s earlier knockdown by Deontay Wilder in their trilogy bout.
Fury lavished praise on Ngannou after the match. He highlighted the unexpected challenges posed by the UFC champion. Fury’s future remains shrouded in uncertainty. His upcoming face-off with Oleksandr Usyk will obviously be delayed due to injuries sustained from Ngannou.
Conor McGregor reacts to Fury vs Ngannou
Conor McGregor acknowledged the electrifying energy of heavyweight boxing when observed up close ringside. He mentioned having watched Anthony Joshua’s match against Robert Helenius and suggested that fighters like Usyk and Ngannou spice up the heavyweight division.
The close scorecards in favor of Tyson Fury sparked debate among fans. Some felt that Ngannou was unjustly denied a victory against Fury. However, McGregor was particularly impressed by Francis Ngannou’s display. He had earlier written him off prior to the fight. “Ngannou is a powerful boy as well. Tyson couldn’t hurt him, Tyson couldn’t hurt him. He kept missing the backhand”, McGregor stated.
McGregor voiced his enthusiasm for the current dynamism in heavyweight boxing. He mentioned the strength and resilience of both fighters and highlighted the knockdown caused by Ngannou’s perfect left hook.
Ngannou’s return to the ring has resonated with McGregor’s own comeback aspirations. McGregor is prepping for a UFC return and is likely to face Michael Chandler in April at UFC 300. This would be his first match after an 18-month hiatus from fighting, due to a leg injury suffered in the July 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier.
Do you think Francis Ngannou would have defeated Tyson Fury and the scorecards suggest a robbery? Do comment below!
