Tyson Fury called out for using ‘illegal MMA move’ in win over Francis Ngannou
The heavyweight champion beat the former UFC fighter with a controversial split decision.
Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury beat Francis Ngannou in a non-title bout but the victory has been marred with controversy – and not just due to the split decision win.
The Gypsy King remains unbeaten after taking on the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) star in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, though his World Boxing Championship (WBC) heavyweight title was not on the line.
Fury took on Ngannou in a 10-round contest which went the distance, but saw the former UFC heavyweight dropping his opponent to the canvas in the third round after connecting with a left hook.
Fury got back to his feet to continue the fight, which lasted all 10 rounds and went to the judges to decide the victor.
Fury was declared the winner but it was a close decision, with one judge scoring 95-94 in favour of Ngannou and the other two giving scores in favour of the former with 96-93 and 95-94.
Question marks have been raised over the victory, however, not only due to Ngannou dropping Fury to the canvas and the subsequent split decision, but also what the heavyweight champion was spotted connecting with at one point with a move that belongs in the UFC rather than a boxing ring.
Midway through the fight, Fury, 35, appeared to land an elbow on Ngannou, which of course is an illegal move in boxing.
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Given the close nature of the fight, there is a strong argument that Ngannou, 37, ought to be granted a rematch.
However, Fury appeared disinterested in that prospect and seems to have his sights set next on taking on Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, who was ringside in Saudi Arabia and confirmed he wants to fight the Gypsy King in an undisputed heavyweight title bout, with both fighters still undefeated in their careers.
Fury said: “Listen, it’s been going on a long time. We were supposed to fight in April at Wembley, it never happened. Let’s do the fight over here for all the belts.
“These guys will sort it all out and it will be on. It will be our next fight, guaranteed.”
The fight is anticipated to happen either in December or January.