Fury survives knockdown, claims controversial split decision win over MMA star Ngannou

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury claimed a controversial split decision victory over former UFC fighter, Francis Ngannou on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou, fighting his first professional boxing bout, dropped Fury in third round with left hook.

While one of the judges scored the fight 95:94 in favour of Ngannou, two othjer gave 96:93 and 95:94 to Fury.

WBC belt was not on line for this fight.

“That definitely wasn’t in the script,” Fury told TNT Sports. “I got caught round the back of the head [for the knockdown]. I wasn’t hurt. I got up and got back to my boxing. He’s an awkward man and a good puncher and I respect him a lot. He’s given me one of my toughest fights of the last 10 years.”

Fury got the “Riyadh champion” belt and extended his unbeaten record – 34 wins and one draw.

Fury’s victory means a blockbuster bout with fellow heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, which has been signed, remains on the horizon.

An undisputed heavyweight contest, the first in four-belt era, has been mooted for 23 December, however, a cut and bruised Fury might struggle to turnaround so quickly.

Ngannou said he will look to improve in other fights and that he had injury.

“My training camp was only three and a half months and I came into this with an injury,” Ngannou said. “But I don’t want to give excuses. I will look at what I can do next to improve my game to come back even better. Now I know I can do this, get ready. The wolf is in the house.”