Tyson Fury, heavyweight world champion, defeated former Cameroonian UFC champion Francis Ngannou this Sunday at the Boulevard Hall in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
The Cameroonian amazed the world. He puts Fury, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, in trouble and even sends him to the canvas in the third chapter. From the first exchange, Ngannou made it clear that he wasn’t vacationing in Saudi Arabia and that he wasn’t going to settle for just picking up his check.
This has nothing to do with the Mayweather-McGregor of the past years or the recent fights of other MMA fighters with content creators. Cameroonian boy dreams of becoming Mike Tyson while working in a mine and faces the opportunity of a lifetime. He didn’t want to waste it and was about to ring the bell.
Ngannou, making his professional boxing debut, came out to put the pressure on and take over the middle of the fight. Fury, with the plasticity that characterizes him, kept the Cameroonian at bay with his leading hand. He pulled, feinted and threw his hand out of his guard.
The former UFC champion is more dangerous from the second chapter. He quickly closed the distance and rained good blows on Fury’s waterline. Ngannou’s complexes seem to be fading. It was not until the third that he put Riyadh’s Boulevard Hall on its feet.
Fury throws a right hand in close and Ngannou responds with a dry hook to the Briton’s temple.. It was the seventh time the champion’s back touched the canvas in his 34 fights as a professional. This is not an exhibition or some kind of circus fight for the Cameroonian.
‘The Gipsy King’ agreed to enter into the exchange of gunpowder. The Cameroonian is serious, he is in trouble. Mobility, pointe movement and stroke volume. The ‘abc’ of the British. Stopping himself from feinting with his left, he started, swung and struck again. Always someone faster than his rival but takes many risks. Ngannou’s hands are heavy.
Now or never, Ngannou thought. He took more hits but with only two rounds left he had to press. Knowing his firepower, his 11 knockouts in 17 MMA fights prove it, he needs to enter the shootout. He even dared to switch to left-handed guard.
Ngannou showed his face, putting Fury in trouble but not adding enough dividends in the eyes of the judges. Split decision is on the British side. The Cameroonian surprised, many, against one of the best pound for pound on the planet based on power and tenacity. He defends the name of MMA with a dignity that his other teammates who have flirted with boxing cannot do.
Sports figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Mikey Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Roberto Durán They don’t want to miss this unique event. UFC fighters like Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman were also seen at the Boulevard Hall in Riyadh.
Wardley, Parker, Makhmudov and Baloke won by knockout
Britain’s Fabio Wardley took the middle of the string, dominated with his hand, stepped forward and varied his height to drop back to his compatriot David Adeleye, who blocked attacks and waited with a right fist hand
He threw a few punches, but he couldn’t break Wardley’s rhythm.. In the seventh chapter he sent him to the canvas and in the next exchange referee John Latham had to intervene to stop the fight. Wardley was crowned WBO and Commonwealth European Heavyweight Champion.
Australian Joseph Parker added his fourth straight win in Saudi Arabia. Parker defeated willing Canadian fighter Simon Kean in the fourth round. Kean came out to occupy the center of the ring, keeping his distance and trying to wear down the co-aspirant.
The Australian’s tenacity and punches ended up winning him in the third round with a devastating uppercut. Parker, 31, hangs the vacant IBF and WBO intercontinental heavyweight titles around his waist.
Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov didn’t give American Junio Anthony Wright a chance. The undefeated Russian boxer came out with his foot on the accelerator, knocking out Wright in just two exchanges to score his seventeenth knockout in eighteen fights as a professional. Congolese Martin Bakole stopped Frenchman Carlos Takam in the fourth episode in the first fight of the main card.
Full card results
Heavyweight – Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou: Fury via split decision.
British Heavyweight Title – Fabio Wardley vs. David Adeleye: Wardley by TKO in the seventh round.
Heavyweight – Joseph Parker (33-3-0) vs. Simon Kean (23-2-0): Parker by third-round knockout.
Heavyweight: Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-0-0) vs. Junior Anthony Wright (20-5-1): Makhmudov by first-round knockout.
Heavyweight: Martin Bakole (19-1-0) vs. Carlos Takam (40-7-1): Bakole by technical knockout in the fourth round.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
