TYSON FURY crept over the line to narrowly beat MMA star Francis Ngannou after being DROPPED in the third round.
The UFC legend Ngannou gave Fury all kinds of problems in the opening rounds, with Fury cut in the second and then tasting the canvas in the third.
Fury took more blows in the final rounds before securing a controversial split decision win with two of the judges scoring the fight in his favour.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
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By James Orr
Ngannou on his next boxing step
Francis Ngannou now has a taste for pugilism after that stunning performance.
Ngannou said: "Now I know I can do this s**t. So hey, baby, get ready. Get ready.
"The wolf is in the house. So I’m gonna bite some s**t."
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By James Orr
More from Fury
Fury added: “It’s a part of boxing [the knockdown], I got caught behind the head again. I got up and it was alright; I got back to my boxing.
“I don’t know how close it was, but I got the win and that’s what it is. I’ve been out the ring a long time again. You can see it in here – ring rust, everything. No excuses, though. He’s cut me across the eye there. It was a good, rough fight. Perfect.”
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By James Orr
What Tyson Fury said
Tyson Fury said in the ring his narrow victory "wasn't in the script".
Fury said: "That definitely wasn’t in the script. He's a lot better of a boxer than we thought he’d be.
“He’s a very awkward man, and he’s a good puncher, and I respect him a lot. He was very awkward, he wasn’t coming forward; he was waiting for me to throw my punches then looking to counter."
Credit: Getty
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By James Orr
Fury and Usyk face off…but no confirmation
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk looked set to confirm their December 23rd undisputed fight.
But this fight has blown that open with no announcement given in the ring after.
And Fury's post-fight press conference cancelled.
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By James Orr
Jake Paul reacts
Jake Paul tweeted a familiar picture after watching Francis Ngannou nearly shocking the boxing world.
Paul had dropped Tyson's brother Tommy in their fight back in February, but like Ngannou lost on points.
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By James Orr
Scorecards are in
How the fight was scored with 96-93 Fury, 95-94 Ngannou and 95-94 Fury.
My word we came close to the biggest boxing upset of all time.
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By James Orr
Opening woe
Fans raged at Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou's dragged out pre-fight show.
But viewers were made to wait for the men to finally share the ring due to a drawn out opening ceremony.
And it's fair to say fans were not best pleased with the never ending performances which kept the main-event from starting.
One said: "Anyone would think we’re watching Eurovision ffs. Get on with it!"
Another added: "There isn’t a single f***ing person in the f***ing world that wants to see this s**** f***ing pre fight “entertainment” show."
Watch Fury vs Ngannou ring rise from the ground ahead of spectacular Battle of the Baddest
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By James Orr
Ronaldo booed
Cristiano Ronaldo was booed by fans inside the stadium.
Ronaldo was one name on a list of star-studded celebrities in attendance for Tyson Fury's blockbuster crossover fight with Francis Ngannou.
However, Al-Nassr ace Ronaldo was booed by a section of fans when he arrived at Riyadh's Boulevard Hall Stadium in Saudi Arabia.
The football icon had starred for the Saudi Arabian outfit in their 3-1 win over Al-Fayha on Saturday.
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By James Orr
Ngannou breaks silence
Francis Ngannou has taken to X to break his silence following the shock fight.
Not many that could argue with this…
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By James Orr
Post fight press conference cancelled
Word is reaching that the post-fight press conference has been cancelled.
A night no-one could have predicted there, especially Tyson Fury.
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By James Orr
More from Francis Ngannou
The MMA star said: "We can run it back again and I'm sure I'm gonna get better.
"This was my first boxing match, [it was] a great experience.
"I'm not giving any excuses, I know I came up short. But I'm gonna go back and work harder.
"And with a little bit more experience and a little more feeling for the game and come back even stronger."
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By James Orr
Eddie Hearn on the fight
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn said: "I'm absolutely lost for words. Fury looked like he'd never laced up a pair of gloves before.
"I thought Ngannou won by two rounds… Forget Fury vs Usyk, no-one’s interested, just give us Fury vs Anthony Joshua. AJ will knock Fury out inside six rounds."
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By James Orr
West World
Kanye West shocked fans by turning up to Tyson Fury's fight with Francis Ngannou wearing a mystery Premier League shirt.
Fans baffled as Kanye West turns up in mystery Premier League shirt with retro badge for Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou
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By James Orr
How the third round unfolded
Fury turned southpaw in the third and the biggest problem he seemed to be having was keeping his green shorts up over his 19st 11lbs love handles.
Then out of nowhere Ngannou – billed as the hardest punching person on the planet – landed a left hook that collapsed Fury.
Stunned yet smiling he somehow beat the count and danced around the ring, Usyk perched at ringside looked seriously concerned his dream was going up in smoke.
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By James Orr
Lineker and Eubank slam decision
Boxing fans including Gary Lineker slammed Tyson Fury's controversial points win over Francis Ngannou.
Fury walked away with a split-decision over ex-UFC champion-turned boxing debutant Ngannou.
England football legend Gary Lineker posted: "We’ve just seen a robbery."
Boxer Chris Eubank Jr added: "Watching from ringside I thought Ngannou won the fight.
"It was close but he was the aggressor, landed heavier shots & scored a knockdown.
"Fury deserved to lose after having so much trouble against a man who has never boxed before… too much time filming Netflix specials not enough time in the gym I’m guessing. Unlucky Francis."
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By James Orr
More from Fury
A shocked Tyson Fury said: "That definitely wasn't in the script. Francis is a hell of a fighter.
"He's strong, he's a big puncher and a lot better boxer than we thought he'd ever be."
The 35-year-old added: "He's a very awkward man and he's a very good puncher.
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By James Anderson
Ringside fight report
Tyson Fury had to climb off the canvas and rely on the judges to rescue his £150million Fight of the Century and undisputed heavyweight world title decider with Oleksandr Usyk.
The Gypsy King was decked by the African Adonis in the third and badly bruised by the professional boxing debutant and looked destined for utter disaster.
But he was saved by shocking judges who somehow called the one-sided showdown: 95-94 Ngannou, 96-93 Fury and 95-94 Fury.
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By James Orr
Francis Ngannou on boxing future
Francis Ngannou said on another boxing match: "Now I know I can do this s**t. So hey, baby, get ready. Get ready.
"The wolf is in the house. So I'm gonna bite some s**t."
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By James Anderson
Opinions
We've all got one! Lennox Lewis is confident that the right decision was made, while Carl Frampton says Francis Ngannou deserved to get the decision.
Lewis: "I felt Tyson Fury won, he was throwing a lot of punches. Ngannou surprised me. Showing poise and patience, waiting for that perfect opportunity."
Frampton: "I thought Francis won that fight. I couldn’t believe what I was watching. We picked Tyson rationally, Francis coming in for his first boxing match, how could he win? In my eyes he won the fight. Fury struggled with his style. We thought Francis would come in and swing. He boxed beautifully.”
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By James Anderson
Rematch?
In a word? No. Tyson Fury reiterates that there is no rematch clause in the contract, and instead turns his attentions to Oleksandr Usyk – although December 23 looks a little bit unlikely given the damage Fury has taken tonight.
He said: "No rematch clause. I would like to do it again down the line but we got Usyk to deal with. That’s what next for us."
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By James Anderson
I can bite
Francis Ngannou was extremely gracious in defeat, almost too gracious in all honesty.
He said: "I am feeling great, fantastic. It didn’t go my way, I might be beaten today, I might be wounded, but I can bite. We can run it back again, and I’m sure I’m gonna get better. This was my first boxing match, great experience.
“I’m not gonna give any excuse, I know I came up short, but I’m gonna come back with a little more experience of the game.
“At first I was a little nervous, now I know I can do this s***. The wolf is in the house. Tonight was to feel the water, and now I know the temperature.
“I came out from a long recovery and surgery, three months and a half. I worked hard and gave my best. I know myself. We’ll gather with my team and what we can do next to improve my game.”
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By James Anderson
That definitely wasn’t in the script
Quite a few boos ring around the arena when the decision was announced. I can see why.
Tyson Fury ignores those and continues with his interview instead.
Fury said: “That definitely wasn’t in the script. He’s a lot better of a boxer than we thought he’d be.
“He’s a very awkward man, and he’s a good puncher, and I respect him a lot. He was very awkward, he wasn’t coming forward; he was waiting for me to throw my punches then looking to counter.
“It’s a part of boxing [the knockdown], I got caught behind the head again. I got up and it was alright; I got back to my boxing.
“I don’t know how close it was, but I got the win and that’s what it is. I’ve been out the ring a long time again. You can see it in here – ring rust, everything. No excuses, though. He’s cut me across the eye there. It was a good, rough fight. Perfect.”
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By James Anderson
TYSON FURY WINS BY SPLIT DECISION
Well, I don't quite know what to say.
- 95-94 Ngannou
- 96-93 Fury
- 95-94 Fury
Answers on a postcard please.
Reactions
Francis Ngannou's team have lifted him in the air and are convinced he's won the contest. Tyson Fury doesn't look too disappointed, giving the occasional nod of approval – perhaps he thinks that he's done enough?
“Francis” is the chant from a section of the crowd. Nobody can believe what they've just witnessed. Michael Buffer has collected the cards — we await the official result.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou (Round 10)
Tyson Fury simply has to go for broke here. It's Hail Mary time.
But… nothing has arrived from either fighter in the first 60 seconds.
Ngannou is controlling the centre of the ring, swatting away Fury's hand time and again.
We're inside the final minute, and there's still NOTHING coming from Fury. In fact it's Ngannou who looks for a blockbuster finish and nearly falls off his feet while swinging.
It's over! We go to the scorecards.
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