British boxer Tyson Fury. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury beat former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou on a split decision in a non-title fight in Saudi Arabia on Monday that almost delivered one of boxing's biggest upsets.
Fury, unbeaten holder of one of the sport's most prestigious belts, narrowly avoided a first defeat at the hands of a 37-year-old opponent who had never boxed professionally before but went through the full 10 rounds with some swagger.
Ngannou dropped the Briton to the canvas in round three with a left hook and although the 35-year-old self-styled "Gypsy King" was able to see out the round he had no doubts about what he was up against.
"That definitely wasn't in the script," said Fury after two of the judges gave him the win 96-93 and 95-94. The third judge scored it 95-94 in favour of his Cameroon-French opponent.
"He's a hell of a fighter and a hell of a lot better boxer than we thought he would be. 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 said there was no rematch clause but he would like to fight Ngannou again "down the line" and after an undisputed title fight with Ukraine's IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The pair are set to meet in Riyadh at a date yet to be announced officially but that both champions said will be Dec. 23.
Usyk, who was in Saudi Arabia to watch his future opponent, said he was ready.
Ngannou vacated his heavyweight belt after a contract dispute with UFC and exited as a free agent in January.
"My training camp was only three and a half months and I came into this with an injury. But I donG��t want to give excuses. I will look at what I can do next to improve my game to come back even better," he said.
"Now I know I can do this..., get ready. The wolf is in the house."
Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker at training inLas Vegas. Photo: Joseph Parker Instagram
New Zealand's Parker wins
Earlier on the card, New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker returned to the ring with a comfortable third-round knockout win over Canadian Simon Kean.
It was the third win of the year for Parker, who suffered a significant loss last year to Briton Joe Joyce.
Kean, who had only lost one of his 24 professional fights, started brightly but copped an upper cut from Parker early in the third round and then another late in the round to finish the contest.
It was the 23rd knockout win of Parker's career, whose record lifts to 33-3.
- Reuters/RNZ