Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Latest boxing fight updates and reaction after controversial result in Saudi Arabia
Re-live all the action after Tyson Fury was knocked by and won a controversial decision against MMA star Francis Ngannou
Tyson Fury won a controversial decision against Francis Ngannou in the pair’s boxing match on Saturday night, surviving a knockdown by the MMA star in Saudi Arabia.
Fury entered Riyadh with an unbeaten professional record, while ex-UFC champion Ngannou was making his boxing debut. Fury, 35, did not defend his WBC heavyweight title in the fight, which went for all 10 scheduled rounds and saw Ngannou, 37, arguably do enough to beat the boxer.
The Cameroonian dropped the Briton with a left hook in Round 3, stunning those in attendance and the wider combat-sports world. Ngannou continued to outbox Fury for much of the bout, only to be denied a victory when the scorecards were read aloud.
After a close fight, Fury was named a split-decision winner, and he faced off with unified heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, whom he is expected to fight next – also in Saudi.
Re-live all the action with our fight updates and results, below.
Fury vs Ngannou: Ring walks
Fury vs Ngannou: Ring walks
Now here comes WBC heavyweight champion Fury, unbeaten in his pro career.
He walks down a red-lit corridor, clapped along by legends of the sport including Lennox Lewis and Oscar de la Hoya.
The Briton, 35, has a pro record of 33-0-1 (24 KOs).
Fury vs Ngannou: Ring walks
Ngannou emerges, wearing a crown, and takes his seat on a throne. On each side of him are five people waving Cameroonian flags.
The 37-year-old reigned as UFC champion from 2021 until this January, when he relinquished the title while leaving the mixed martial arts promotion.
Ngannou is making his pro boxing debut here, while his pro MMA record is 17-3. Twelve of his wins came via knockout – eight of those in Round 1, and three of those inside the first minute.
In the ring, Michael Buffer makes the introduction.
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Ring walks
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond is playing in the arena. You know what that means. The ring walks are seconds away.
Backstage, a crown has been placed on Fury’s head.
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Ring walks
Here’s our Sports Editor, Jack Rathborn, on the incident involving David Adeleye and referee John Latham earlier:
David Adeleye punches referee on Fury v Ngannou undercard
The British heavyweight has landed himself in hot water after his reaction to defeat against Fabio Wardley for the British title
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Ring walks
Amir Khan, who is present, on a possible fight with Manny Pacquiao, also present: “We don’t mind putting the gloves back on.
“Manny would make a great dancing partner, we both used to spar with each other.
“Look, if I get the chance to fight in Saudi again, it would be amazing. It would be huge.”
And on gifting a watch to Eminem this week: “I got a present from Mauricio [Sulaiman, WBC president] – a watch with the WBC belt.
“I was talking to Eminem, I gave it to him as a present. He was so happy! Somebody like Eminem, he can get anything he wants, but this was something he's never had.”
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Ring walks
In the final few moments before the ring walks, why not check out Steve Bunce’s main-event preview?
Fury vs Ngannou is simple, genius and lunacy all at once
Comment: This is not a fight, this is an event – a carnival in the Middle East, before Tyson Fury’s next one begins...
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