Francis Ngannou knocked down the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson Fury, in his professional boxing debut.
The MMA man was given a slim chance by some, and less than that by most others. He flipped the script, boxing impressively against an off-form Fury.
It was scrappy for the duration from then on, but many feel Ngannou should have left the arena the winner despite Fury taking a split decision on the cards…
Frank Warren
What an event to open #RiyadhSeason. @francis_ngannou is a boxer no question!
Time for Undisputed next in Saudi Arabia! #BattleOfTheBaddest
— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) October 28, 2023
Lennox Lewis
The lion can’t let the shark come into the jungle and nearly beat him. Ngannou’s stock is up. Fury’s stock is down in a luckluster win for Fury. #FuryvsNgannou
— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) October 29, 2023
Anthony Yarde
Francis Ngannou just beat Tyson Fury
— Anthony Yarde (@mranthonyyarde) October 28, 2023
Josh Taylor
Does Tyson need the knockout? Didn’t expect to see this at all.
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorBoxer) October 28, 2023
Chris Eubank Jr
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…
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) October 28, 2023
Sunny Edwards
#FuryNgannoupic.twitter.com/9IxBslC6Kj
— Not Sunny Edwards (@SunnyEdwards) October 28, 2023
Nahhhhhh boxing in the mud
— Not Sunny Edwards (@SunnyEdwards) October 28, 2023
Fury massively overlooked Ngannou, found himself in deeper water than he thought he would & couldn’t get out of it.
Close fight on the scorecards but have Francis Ngannou edging the rounds out when he needed to
— Not Sunny Edwards (@SunnyEdwards) October 28, 2023
Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez
😳
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) October 28, 2023
Ariel Helwani
Bullshit.
Francis won that fight. I don’t care what anyone says.
People’s champ. All hail. pic.twitter.com/fGpUmvl5Bn
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 28, 2023
Darren Till
96-93?
Either Dana or John Fury must of been that judge— DT (@darrentill2) October 28, 2023
Nate Diaz
Tyson fury lost and the boxing commentary biased af dumbasses they need to learn how to box ..
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 28, 2023
Jake Paul
Doubted. pic.twitter.com/RMOruz3cu4
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) October 28, 2023
Split decision…feels familiar.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) October 28, 2023
Dan Rafael
I'll be surprised if #FuryUsyk moves ahead for Dec. 23 after the hard fight Fury had. #boxing#FuryNgannou
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) October 28, 2023
Jamie Conlan
Big Francis winning this…? #furyvsngannou
— Jamie Conlan (@JamieConlan11) October 28, 2023
Paulie Malignaggi
Wtf!!!!
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) October 28, 2023