Tyson Fury Got VERY Lucky Tonight, And Francis Ngannou Should Box More
If you didn't know, Tyson Fury fought Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia today.
There was a ton of pomp and circumstance surrounding this event with celebs flying in by the dozen, including an insane amount of former/current boxing and MMA stars.
The undercard was chock full of heavyweights and provided much entertainment, but the layover between the undercard and the Main Event was longer than a Scorsese movie.
The musical artists that performed didn’t resonate with me, so I will reserve judgment, and the ringwalks were equally uneventful… Although Fury’s choice of Dolly’s “Jolene” and Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” as part of his walk-out song montage confused me a tad. I’m fairly certain no music critic has ever called Orbison’s work the kind of music that made someone wanna run through a brick wall.
But onto the fight... People thought that Fury (who was an overwhelming favorite) would knock Francis out, but quite the opposite happened.
Ngannou had absolutely nothing to lose meanwhile boxing, as a sport, had very little to gain (outside of Fury, of course, who gained a LOT of filthy Saudi money). Plus, Francis just doesn’t get knocked out… His three losses in the UFC to Cisse, Lewis, and Stipe were all decisions.
It was an awkward fight to watch. Both fighters went to Southpaw during the second round… Not really sure why... But after 2 rounds of measuring out the heavyweight champion of the world, Ngannou put Fury on his back with a left hook and then proceeded to push Tyson around into and out of every clinch.
It ended in a split decision, where Fury was given the nod, but without any of Fury's belts on the line, this fight was being fought only to determine who was the "Baddest Man"… And in a surprising turn of events that title of "Baddest" should reside firmly with Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou was 2 things: Poised and powerful. And although I don't have a problem with the decision, I am infinitely impressed with Francis' performance. I didn't know him from Jack before he signed on for this fight, but everything about this guy has made me a fan for life and I hope he gets the opportunity to make another BAG inside of a boxing ring.
Fury should thank his fucking lucky stars he got out of Saudi Arabia with his record intact and NEVER take a fight like this again.
Take a report.
-Large