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 LIVE: Conor McGregor arrives
Conor McGregor on Ngannou’s chances: “It’s gonna be a tough ask, let’s be honest. Tyson is crafty, he’s big. Francis’s tools are in his pockets.”
McGregor also urges Ngannou not to think about the full 10 rounds, and to go for it early.
The former dual-weight UFC champion admits that he regrets not going after Floyd Mayweather more aggressively in the early rounds of their fight in 2017.
He was stopped late on that August evening, and tells ESPN tonight that he was thinking about the final rounds while throwing his first punches of the night.
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Fabio Wardley vs David Adeleye
There’s only one more fight scheduled before tonight’s main event.
British rivals Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye are set to square off at heavyweight, in a highly-anticipated grudge match.
The pair actually clashed backstage at the first press conference for Fury vs Ngannou, with Wardley suffering a cut that threatened this bout.
Now, he gets a chance to settle his feud with Adeleye.
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: The Cameroonian's stunning backstory
Ngannou’s journey started in the mountains. The 37-year-old was born in Batie, Cameroon, and grew up in poverty. His father – a local street fighter known for all the wrong reasons – and mother separated when their son was six. Having been unable to gain a proper education, Ngannou began working in a sand quarry at just 10 years old.
The draining physicality of the work would surely have made the prospect of joining one of the local gangs appealing, but Ngannou rejected all advances.
By the time he was 22, Ngannou began to train in boxing despite his family’s wishes, though his progress was halted by illness.
At 26, the man now known as the “Predator” set his sights on Paris, with numerous attempts to make the journey proving unsuccessful. When he did ultimately make it to the French capital, Ngannou was held in a Spanish prison for two months for his illegal entry into Europe.
Upon his release, Ngannou was homeless, penniless and totally alone. Boxing coach Didier Carmont offered him refuge, however, and introduced him to mixed martial arts.
Check out this piece from 2021, reflecting on Ngannou’s UFC title win:
Francis Ngannou’s title win marks UFC’s most real fairytale so far
Working in a sand quarry at the age of 10 and living homeless on the streets of Paris prepared the French-Cameroonian to realise a complicated destiny, writes Alex Pattle
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: ‘Gypsy King’ warming up backstage
Fury is warming up in his locker room. Meanwhile, Ngannou has just made it to his own changing room.
A reminder that heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson has been training Ngannou for tonight’s main event...
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean
Round 3
Lots more jabbing from the two heavyweights, with Kean getting the better of these exchanges.
But Parker eventually lands a great uppercut, squeezing it through Kean’s guard, and the Canadian is rattled!!
Another uppercut moments later, and Kean is put down – and there’s no getting up!!
Parker, by KNOCKOUT!
Joseph Parker def. Simon Kean via third-round KO (2:04)
Parker collects the vacant IBF and WBO Intercontinental heavyweight titles!
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean
Round 2
Parker jabs low then high. He sees a right overhand partially land, then Kean shoves him away.
Sharp jab by Kean, who then catches Parker on the very end of a cross.
Parker buries a left hook into the mid-section of Kean now.
The Kiwi follows up with a few tidy jabs. Kean responds in kind.
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean
Round 1
Lots of support for Parker in Riyadh. And we’re under way.
Both men are standing orthodox. Clean right cross and stiff left hook by Parker! Kean’s chin was jutting out there, almost inviting those shots.
Lots of head movement from the Canadian now. It doesn’t prevent Parker from landing another decent left hook, but Kean fires back with a right cross.
Both men throw left hooks simultaneously, with Kean beating Parker to the punch – literally. Now it’s Parker who is leaving his chin out.
Another good left hook from Kean, which staggers Parker slightly.
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean
Here we go! The vacant IBF and WBO Intercontinental heavyweight titles are up for grabs
New Zealand’s Joseph Parker (32-2, 22 KOs) takes on Canada’s Simon Kean (23-1, 22 KOs).
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean
We’re still waiting for Parker and Kean.
In the meantime...
Fury vs Ngannou LIVE: Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean
Next up, Joseph Parker takes on Simon Kean! More heavyweight action to whet the appetite for the main event.
New Zealand’s Parker was stopped by Joe Joyce last year – and previously lost to Anthony Joshua – but has bounced back with two wins this year.
Parker, a teammate of Fury, will hope he can get not only a victory but a quick one, so he can watch as much of the Rugby World Cup final as possible!
His nation takes on South Africa in France, with kick-off five minutes away.
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