By Jimmy Jackson
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury wins a controversial split decision victory over former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou, 37, put Fury on the canvas in round three after connecting with a left hook.
But while one judge scored it 95-94 in favour of Ngannou, two gave it to Fury at 96-93 and 95-94. Fury’s WBC heavyweight belt was not on the line.
Fury, 35, maintains undefeated record but WBC title was not on the line
Cameroon’s Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion but had no boxing experience
“This was my first boxing match, great experience –- I’m not giving any excuse,” Ngannou said in a ringside interview.
“I know I come up short, I’m going to come back and work harder… now I know I can do this.”
“He’s a very awkward man, and he’s a good puncher and I respect him a lot,” Fury said of Ngannou, adding that it was “probably one of the toughest” fights he has had in a decade.
