Round-by-Round: Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou - 28th October 2023

[Nightmare Roy]

Fury was utter pish. Aj would murder him

AJ could have boxed him last month but chose to swerve it.

After that I bet he with he did eh?

[Glass Joe]

[Monzon83]

I’ll say it again the Furys are a stain on boxing, the sooner they are out of the sport the better. Tyson is an absolute fraud.

[si7dog7]

Tbh AJ should call Fury out right now.

Fury can have no excuses as he is “match fit”

When did we hear that phrase before?

[Grilling Machine]

Why have none of the pundits said that Tyson was clearly fat as fk and hadn’t trained. A well trained fury would flog Francis.

I think that's all pretty obvious, but we're left wondering why Fury didn't leave 1st gear. If it wasn't scripted, I'd say he's given the impression of suffering a breakdown for a while and boxed on autopilot. Like he expected this to be easy and wasn't emotionally ready for Ngannou not buying his feints and holding good position.

We knew his weight would factor if he couldn't stop Ngannou, who we know has a good chin. And we knew Ngannou's reach might surprise Fury a bit, and that he wouldn't be intimidated. And then finally we knew Ngannou was unlikely to react to Fury's trademark feints because a) he's not used to them, and b) he is used to checking leg kicks and facing unavoidable grabs.

If you can't faze an MMA guy with feints you build up reads and start committing instead. It's interesting to think of the mental difference between a sport where avoiding everything is the goal and one where pain is almost a given. So like I say, I never expected Ngannou to be afraid, just a static target who'd need breaking down.

For whatever reason Fury's head wasn't there for that. Ngannou was looking to take one to land to his credit, and that calls for Joyce-like bravery to plough into if you're not otherwise scoring. (The cards say Fury was after the fact.)

If Fury's wanted a healthy, happy retirement for a long time - and why not - it seems he isn't ready to handover the limelight, which for not cementing his legacy will immediately transfer to the next consolidated champ. Could be Usyk, could be someone else.

It actually would've been better for his legacy to retire after the Wilder rematch, because now there are several contenders he'll need to be 100% for. So without confirmation they followed a script here or renewed confidence of focus, I don't think it's looking too promising for him. He might scrape Usyk on size still, but has to face down possible defeat again.

I didn't watch it, but do any of you think those punches and knockdowns from Wilder have taken their toll?

Well he was clipped and got up okay, so I think his Hattonesque lifestyle is still the main thing catching up with him.

[tigermoth87]

Embarassing, having to rely on the corrupt judges to bail you out against an 0-0 novice.

What a joke of a fight. Boxing is an utter farce.

[Grilling Machine]

Didnt watch it but sounds like a massive work, Bit like Tommy etc

And it felt like it (as most of us predicted), but doubts now arise because of how poor Fury was. When Tyson and Jones did their exhibition they let each other have their moments. In this fight Fury had none. If they fixed it they totally showcased Ngannou.

And of course the cut's real enough, and why throw an elbow.

[TBA]

For what it's worth, Usyk comment on the fight immediately after was that Fury was playing.

[Kilburn]

I suspect that Usyk was trying to salvage something from it, Ngannou showed everyone how limited Fury truly is.

The circus will never be quite the same again.

[handsofstone]

Worst thing is that I've got to go to work tomorrow after telling everyone this was the worst mismatch in boxing history, cheers Tyson

[Kilburn]

I’m certainly not going to sit here and say I thought Ngannou had a realistic chance, but I knew he’d be a better boxer than what was predicted on here.

A little too much boxing snobbery on display, something of a lesson learned.

[handsofstone]

Hate to be that guy but what was the testing here?, Ngannou looked jacked, wouldn't claim to care much if he was, Fury's done it

[handsofstone]

Fury switching orthodox or southpaw made no real difference on the outside,. couldn't manhandle Ngannou on the inside and tbh didn't look like he wanted to, he was reluctant to engage, he flicked out the jab, his right hand was miles off, looked amateurish, those last 2 rounds both could've been 10-10, neither guy done a thing, it really was feeble from Fury, even in the ring after he still sounded spooked, his confidence has evaporated

[JC]

I just watched it.

Clearly, Ngannou was a lot better than expected, Fury struggled and couldn’t put a dent in him.

However, the only rounds I could give Ngannou clearly were the 3rd and the 8th. Then the last couple could have been even. So I had Fury up by a couple of rounds., despite the KD.

No idea how Frampton had Ngannou 5-0 up at half way.

Fair play to Ngannou tho, clearly (correctly) had faith in his power

[Ezzard]

Thought Fury won 6-7 of the rounds. Ngannou fought a good fight. He was durable and his size/strength caused Fury problems. He got his tactics spot on. Didn't really fall for the double feint. He was also far better than anyone expected.

[Ezzard]

I just watched it.

Clearly, Ngannou was a lot better than expected, Fury struggled and couldn’t put a dent in him.

However, the only rounds I could give Ngannou clearly were the 3rd and the 8th. Then the last couple could have been even. So I had Fury up by a couple of rounds., despite the KD.

No idea how Frampton had Ngannou 5-0 up at half way.

Agree, sometimes because a fighter odes better than expected people think they're winning.

[margaret thatcher]

ya, fury's hesitant air flicks were masterful in there, so underrated

[Kilburn]

I’m not crying robbery but Fury landed so few quality punches, it was hard to award him rounds.

He was pretty much just trying to get through it.

[margaret thatcher]

fury's punches were dreadfully low quality and he was doing the ole air punch job. easy not to give him rounds regardless of how well someone thought ngganou would do

[Nightmare Roy]

Just woke up, thought I dreamt it, no it actually happened where is the Queensbury tea boy and his emojis.

[margaret thatcher]

I just watched it.

Clearly, Ngannou was a lot better than expected, Fury struggled and couldn’t put a dent in him.

However, the only rounds I could give Ngannou clearly were the 3rd and the 8th. Then the last couple could have been even. So I had Fury up by a couple of rounds., despite the KD.

No idea how Frampton had Ngannou 5-0 up at half way.

Agree, sometimes because a fighter odes better than expected people think they're winning.

sometimes when someone has the reputation as the better boxer people just think theyre winning and boxing more effectively. it really can go all sorts of ways in terms of people interpret fights

[handsofstone]

Fury said a couple of days ago that if Usyk doesn't fight him 23rd December he's in breach of contract but last night said he's going back to his family for a long rest before making a decision after a long 12 week camp, does this contract only work one way?? Mmm....

[handsofstone]

fury's punches were dreadfully low quality and he was doing the ole air punch job. easy not to give him rounds regardless of how well someone thought ngganou would do

Agreed, I don't care how experienced you are or how well your expected to do, thats not effective scoring punches, I've no issue with people having Fury winning, I had it for Ngannou but it was clear there were mostly close rounds devoid of any real quality, the big rounds went to the debutant

[geronimo]

I can't believe that a boxer who beat Klitschko and Wilder is inferior to an MMA fighter who has never had a professional boxing match...
In my opinion Fury hasn't trained properly and the fact that he is fat and has used alcohol and drugs have taken its toll.
I noticed that he used the jab very little, strange, really strange

[Fray Bentos]

Fury said a couple of days ago that if Usyk doesn't fight him 23rd December he's in breach of contract but last night said he's going back to his family for a long rest before making a decision after a long 12 week camp, does this contract only work one way?? Mmm....

He hasn't been a serious boxer for three or four years now - if they could square it away with animal rights organisations he would box a bear or a kangaroo

As a scribe said about one of Joe Louis's 'bum of the month' opponents who was a former world champion - it might have been Jack Sharkey, that he was a 'businessman in a dressing robe who donned the gloves occasionally' and I think we are there with Fury now, he started young and now he is in his mid 30's - his time is coming to an end sooner rather than later.