What could Tyson Fury say after coming within a whisker of losing to an opponent making his boxing debut Saturday in Saudi Arabia?
MMA star Francis Ngannou lost a split decision but his ability to put the unbeaten heavyweight champ down in Round 3 and fight him on even terms was shocking.
Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) defeated Ngannou (0-1) by scores of 96-93, 95-94 and 94-95.
“That definitely wasn’t in the script,” Fury said afterward. “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.”
Fury went on: “He was very awkward, he wasn’t coming forward and was waiting for me to throw. He’s given me one of my toughest fights of the last 10 years.”
The champion was asked about the knockdown. He replied: “I was caught behind the head for the knockdown. I got back up and got back to my boxing.”
And he seemed to acknowledge that the fight was close.
“I don’t know how close it was,” he said. “I got the win and that’s what it is.”
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