Tyson Fury defeats Francis Ngannou via split decision – WATCH

Tyson Fury and former UFC champion Francis Ngannou are meeting in the boxing ring tonight, in one of the most controversial fights in recent memory.

Fury, 35, reigns as WBC heavyweight champion but has not fought or defended his title since December, when he beat Derek Chisora for the third time to stay unbeaten. The Briton is due to finally face unified champion Oleksandr Usyk next, but he must first navigate this unique match-up with Ngannou.

Ngannou, 37, vacated the UFC heavyweight title upon leaving the mixed martial arts promotion in January and has not fought since January 2022, but he is deemed the hardest puncher in combat-sports history – potentially giving him a shot at a seismic upset in Saudi Arabia.

Can the Cameroonian, with heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson in his corner, shock the world? Or will Fury produce a boxing clinic and coast towards his planned clash with Usyk, which is set to take place in Riyadh like tonight’s main event? Find out with our live fight updates and results, below.

Fury def. Ngannou via split decision

I’m still trying to come to terms with what we saw tonight. Fury wins a very close boxing match with a mixed martial artist who is making his boxing debut, and who knocks Fury down.

Fury def. Ngannou via split decision

Usyk: “We’re back in this ring, 23 December, thank you very much, I go to sleep.”

Before tonight, Fury was the one pushing for 23 December. Now, he doesn’t seem so sure. Usyk does.

Fury def. Ngannou via split decision

Fury and Usyk are in the ring together.

Fury: “It’s been going on a long time, let’s do the fight – over here, for all the belts, the undisputed title of the world. Listen, it’s not up to me; we’d go now. These guys will sort it out, it’ll be my next fight guaranteed.”

Usyk: “Let’s go. I’m going to be fighting him, amazing. It’s a big fight, the whole world wants this fight.”

Warren: “I don’t think the date will be announced just yet. This fight is on. Both fighters want it. Tyson’s got a cut there. We’ll see how it heals. 

“It’s the biggest fight in boxing. Everybody wants to see it. They’ll see it in Saudi, it’ll break all box-office records.”

Fury def. Ngannou via split decision

Carl Frampton: “I thought Francis won that fight. I couldn’t believe what I was watching. We picked Tyson rationally, Francis coming in for his first boxing match, how could he win? In my eyes he won the fight. [Fury] struggled with his style. We thought Francis would come in and swing. He boxed beautifully.”

Fury def. Ngannou via split decision

Ex-UFC fighter Dan Hardy, who works at the PFL, where Ngannou will fight in MMA next year: “I could count the clean shots [Fury] landed on one hand. I’m very disappointed for Francis; for me Francis won that fight.”

Fury def. Ngannou via split decision

Fury says there is no rematch clause for either fighter.

Lennox Lewis: “I felt Tyson Fury won, he was throwing a lot of punches. Ngannou surprised me. Showing poise and patience, waiting for that perfect opportunity. 

“[Fury] wasn’t 100 per cent, it was like a warm-up fight to the big fight [with Usyk].”

Source: Dklassgh.Com