Shocker in Riyadh: Tyson Fury Barely Beats Francis Ngannou in Controversial Split Decision

Timothy James

October 28, 2023

Francis Ngannou shocked the boxing world with his performance against Tyon Fury

Don’t ever doubt Francis Ngannou again.

Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou was supposed to be a one-sided beatdown. A crossover sideshow bout between the best heavyweight boxer on the planet and a former UFC heavyweight champion. Everyone knows how that’s supposed to play out. Boxers win in boxing. Right?

Francis Ngannou had other plans.

Tyson Fury defeats Francis Ngannou via split decision.

Agree or disagree with the judges?

Ngannou scored the only knockdown of the fight. #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/zo0Ppyqi8r

— InsideFighting (@InsideFighting_) October 28, 2023

There wasn’t much about this fight that went the way people expected. Ngannou went into the fight as a +750 underdog against Fury’s -1400 – a 14 to 1 difference. It wasn’t supposed to be competitive in the slightest. On paper, Fury was supposed to KO Ngannou with ease.

In reality, Ngannou went 10 rounds with the man considered to be the best heavyweight boxer on the planet – and scored the only knockdown of the bout.

NGANNOU JUST DROPPED FURY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#FuryNgannou | #BattleOfTheBaddest | https://t.co/2heUqaYy86 pic.twitter.com/T4CPTH6hc9

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 28, 2023

Ngannou found a home for his counter left hook in the third round, sending Fury to the canvas. It wasn’t as devastating as the punch Deontay Wilder landed against Fury in their first encounter, but the impact was heard ’round the world. Ngannou had done the improbable – and continued to do so for the rest of the fight.

It was an incredibly close, back-and-forth affair. In the end, one judge gave it to Ngannou, while the other two gave it to Fury. Tyson Fury remains undefeated, but only after just barely getting the nod against a man he was supposed to dominate.

.@Francis_Ngannou wants to take over Heavyweight boxing.#FuryNgannou | #BattleOfTheBaddest pic.twitter.com/GYel2fN4kI

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 28, 2023

Ngannou may not have come out with the win, but he made a statement tonight – proving unequivocally that he can hang with the best heavyweight boxers. Considering this was his debut bout and how well he did against the best, this may be the beginning of something special for Ngannou inside the squared circle.

MMA and Boxing Twitter Reacts to Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou

Generally speaking, MMA fighters haven’t done well when stepping into boxing. Francis Ngannou flipped that script tonight, with many believing he deserved the decision victory over Fury.

Tyson fury lost and the boxing commentary biased af dumbasses they need to learn how to box ..

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 28, 2023

😳

— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) October 28, 2023

Francis Ngannou won that fight

— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) October 28, 2023

Combat sports are known for corrupt decisions and I’ve been on the end of some terrible ones.

It was a close fight but @francis_ngannou seemed to do more damage than Fury. #furyvsngannou #furyngannou

— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) October 28, 2023

Francis!!! Super impressive and you can make the argument of him winning this! Conor pioneered the way for this, and Francis Ngannou busted the gates wide open! This is proof that with the right preparation that the MMA guys can more than hang with the best boxers around. FTR I…

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 28, 2023

Congrats Ngannou, you’re the people’s champ 🙌🏿

— ksi (@KSI) October 28, 2023

Before this all boxing judges score this fight. @francis_ngannou won that fight. Regardless what these salty dinosaur judges tell you.

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) October 28, 2023

Almost! Never doubt that man again. @francis_ngannou what a beast! #furyvsngannou

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) October 28, 2023

Wow come on Francis Ngannou won this fight! ✊🏾🤴🏿 👑

— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) October 28, 2023

Ngannou was robbed! Gotta protect that fight with Usyk 🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/ywk3YqD84a

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 28, 2023

Proud in the name of all the ufc fighters ! Good job @francis_ngannou !

— Alex "Poatan" Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) October 28, 2023

Francis Ngannou dropped Tyson Fury in the 3rd, went the distance in a super close fight just in his first boxing bout. Francis is a winner ladies and gentlemen. The baddest man on the planet! #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/XGZD4yNrdH

— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) October 28, 2023

Legend @francis_ngannou 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/B4P8ZGJYY9

— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) October 28, 2023

Francis Ngannou had so many doubters the past year. You know who you are.

“Francis fumbled the bag”

“Francis ruined his career”

“Francis is gonna get destroyed by Tyson Fury”

All of you were wrong.

Francis Ngannou is still the baddest man on the planet. pic.twitter.com/gclaibjdqS

— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) October 28, 2023

Francis Ngannou defeated Tyson Fury on the Verdict Scorecard. pic.twitter.com/nlZV16sPJE

— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) October 28, 2023

BOXING IS RIGGED! Most corrupt sport.

Tyson Fury defeats Tyson Ngannou #furyvsngannou pic.twitter.com/RYbq7F5TrT

— Nina-Marie Daniele (@ninamdrama) October 28, 2023