FURY SCRAPES BY

Francis Ngannou was 40/1 to win on points in Saudi Arabia. That is because Francis Ngannou is a mixed martial artist who is used to 5x5 rounds, and hasn’t competed in over two years. 

And he was fighting our generation’s greatest heavyweight. 

Yet after 10 rounds in Riyadh, there were jitters as the scorecards loomed. It did, ultimately, go the way of Tyson Fury, yet it was a victory that came with a rude awakening. 

See, we all believed that Fury would be able to steer this fight exactly how he pleased. 

So much so that talking points centred around how long he would make proceedings last. With the Oleksandr Usyk fight lurking in the shadows, that answer was surely not long at all. 

But three rounds in, it was Fury who found himself having to scramble off the deck. 

Stunned, just like the millions watching, Fury rose before boxing his way to a shockingly competitive decision. 96-93 & 95-94 were the cards in favour of the WBC world champion. 

It was a conclusion that left many dissatisfied after Ngannou had put in the performance of a lifetime. 

But outdoing expectation does not entitle you to get your hand raised. Fury did, albeit not heavily, outland his opponent. 

It is worth remembering that as a wide favourite, it is easy to underappreciate any of Fury’s work. After all, it was expected. 

As for Ngannou, any of his big right hands bring with them a sense of shock. How on earth is a comparative boxing novice landing on a fighter that Wladimir Klitschko couldn’t touch?

I guess this was Fury on his worst night, and Ngannou on his best. 

But even on his worst night, Fury should have danced his way around a man who has never had a competitive fight in a pair of gloves. 

It looked as if Fury was petrified of Ngannou landing. I guess he was right to be, after that savage counter left hook had him on the seat of his pants. 

From that point onwards, Fury did find rhythm, but anything he landed - uppercuts, jabs, straight rights, and even an elbow - were being eaten by Ngannou. 

Ngannou was evidently feeling the pace as the fight passed through the middle stages. A few sloppy swing-and-misses were countered by Fury’s stiff jab. 

When he wasn’t in range, Fury seemed content. When he was in range, he tied Ngannou up. A quick reminder of his boxing expertise. 

As the fight drew to an end, both men raised their hands, with Ngannou claiming a moral victory prior to the judge’s input. A strange fight on a strange day for the sport of boxing. 

One has to wonder where this leaves the undisputed fight with Usyk. 

Not on December 23rd, that’s for sure. Fury may not have come away in bad shape, but he and team will definitely need an overhaul before he steps foot in that ring again. 

Because this was not the performance of a champion. 

Oscar Bevis