Tyson Fury, his huge backers, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the best laid plans of world heavyweight boxing were shaken to their foundations before the Gypsy King narrowly escaped the sensational loss of his unbeaten record.
A single point on the third card of a split decision saved hundreds of millions of dollars waiting for Fury to face Oleksandr Usyk.
The honor of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight world champion in more than a decade.
The Ukrainian holder of the other title belts not in the Gypsy King’s fief sat ringside wishing that this had been his night in the ring with such a sluggish and incoherent Fury.
And considering that this alarm bell was a UFC fighter coming here for his first official boxing match,
Francis Ngannou sent Tyson Fury to the canvas with a thunderous left hook in round three
Fury got back to his feet, fought his way into the fight and narrowly won on points
Fury did just enough to defend his heavyweight title, but Ngannou pushed him closer than many expected
Francis Ngannou gave such a magnificent account of himself that no one would begrudge him the triumph of his life. Except the financiers who have a lot to lose.
Has there ever been such a remarkable boxing debut?
In the end he missed one score at 95-94, but two at 94-95 and 96-93 in Fury’s favor. Technically I have to agree with the king keeping his crown, but it was a closer call than any of us really imagined.
A friendly match? That was a war.
Fury lives to make another coin and fight another day. As for whether that day against Usyk will be December 23, it remains to be seen how quickly he recovers from being flattened in the third round – he got back to his feet, as usual, from a knockdown – and from one supposedly sent off selected opponent was pushed around quite violently.
Whatever Iron Mike has taught Tyson Ngannou in recent weeks has paid off in almost enormous ways.
Ngannou grew in confidence as the fight went on and even attempted a “Superman” punch in the final round
Dawn had broken across the desert to confirm that the big fight had been sanctioned as an official boxing match by the British Boxing Board of Control.
Organizers had been pushing for this recognition for weeks. With Fury’s encouragement, even though it put him at risk of losing his prized undefeated status. So this fight suddenly appeared in his official file and was just waiting for the result.
That would take a while on this long night.
It all started in the so-called undercard arena, an understatement that stands in stark contrast to the concerted promotion of the main event.
This was located in the balmy outdoors in front of the domed stage and the monster screens that had been the scene of the star-studded events during the fight week. Many world championship fights were fought in far less pleasant environments.
But that wasn’t good enough for the Battle of the Evilest. So in Saudi Arabia you get two arenas for the price of one.
A few steps away, the Boulevard Yard Hall awaited Fury and Ngannou. A 20,000-seat venue built on virgin land in just 90 days – a stunning contrast to the three years it would have taken to build in London or Las Vegas. And just in time.
They were still putting the finishing touches to Riyadh’s newest sports mecca when the first round match began outside. Unlike many Olympic venues, this complex will not rot after its first big night. The undercard arena will be busy again before Fury takes on Usyk on December 23rd. There will be more like him.
The large hall is designed not only to continue hosting mega fights and big bands, but also to be converted into an indoor football stadium for the Saudi League team where Neymar now plays. First game next week.
On opening night it was a cathedral fit for a king. The Gypsy King.
The undercard arena was abuzz with excitement, and as the final bell rang, the entire crowd of approximately 3,000 spectators rushed to join the largest gathering of all-time greats, primarily from boxing, but also from show business and other sports, who were ever gathered in one place place.
Riyadh hosted a spectacular opening ceremony before the main event
Fury appears ready to take on Oleksandr Usyk, but plans for an undisputed clash almost went up in smoke in Riyadh
There was already anticipation in this arena for the electrifying song, dance, fire and light show that opened the Riyadh season, a festival full of concerts, art, culture and diverse sports that will run across the capital well into the new year lasts.
Here, the emerging Saudi Arabia revealed its new self to the world.
The show was a breathtaking spectacle of roaring noise and stomping dancers, climaxing when the ring rose through the floor to greet the gladiators.
But if there’s a single athlete in the world who has the raging charisma to make himself the star of a night like this, it’s Tyson Fury. Well after one in the morning, it was his turn to take the stage. He rises from a golden throne, throws off the robe and crown of a monarch, and runs to confront Ngannou.
Scorecard by JEFF POWELL
1 – Fury was out and eager to get going while Michael Buffer was still giving us “Ready to Rumble.” He then told Ngannou, “I’m going to beat you up.” The first punch, a right, came from Ngannou, but after some defending, Fury followed through with his left jab and won the round with a powerful right. Fury 10-9 Ngannou
2 – Ngannou showed better ring artistry than expected and Fury switched to southpaw to confuse. It worked somewhat, but wasn’t enough to save the round. Fury 9-10 Ngannou
3 – No exhibition. A serious fight. Tyson was rocked back by a strong left. Then a monster of the same kind and here was the first sensation. Delivered by the UFC. Tyson went down, and although he bounced back from adversity as he always did, the shock was as palpable in the crowd as it was in the ring. Fury 8-10 Ngannou
Ngannou had the confidence to turn southpaw at times and hurt Fury on multiple occasions
4 – Fury was caught out again by the stubborn Ngannou and had to assert himself at times to keep him at bay. Although he topped fourth place with a late move. Fury 10-9 Ngannou
5 – Fortune and career were in jeopardy and Fury responded in the fifth round with two big rights that rocked Ngannou. Fury 10-9 Ngannou
6 – Fury went into hit-and-dance mode, but now it was all about winning somehow, no matter what it looked like. Fury 10-9 Ngannou
7 – There were cheers for Mike Tyson as his face appeared on the screen and whatever Ngannou had taught Iron Man had turned it from a show into a war. Fury 10-9 Ngannou
Ngannou’s left hook was a dangerous weapon throughout, catching Fury as he fell into it multiple times
8 – Ngannou was back in business with two massive left hooks that left Fury reeling and then a series of punches that left the Gypsy King on the verge of going down again. Fury 9-10 Ngannou
9 – Was a disaster imminent? Fury kept the left jab going to keep adding to the points… and staying out of trouble. Fury 10-9 Ngannou
10 – To the end and Fury punched him through with his left. He probably thought he had done just enough. Fury 10-9 Ngannou
Final result: Fury 96-93 Ngannou