World heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury overcame a knockdown to defeat former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a cross-sport exhibition contest in Saudi Arabia in what proved to be the latest success in his career.
Although Ngannou is a fighter known for his punching power in the Octogen, that was his first professional boxing bout, and many felt he had done enough to defeat Fury. However, the judges saw it differently, as two of the three scores ruled it in favour of the WBC champion.
The British boxer will be relieved to maintain his unbeaten record in the ring, and it now leaves him considering his next move in the sport, with several options likely to be on his table.
More Exhibitions
Fury may see his fight with Ngannou as the first of many exhibition events. There are several more likely to come in 2023, with YouTuber Jake Paul the odds-on favourite at 1/5 in the sports betting online to defeat boxer Andre August. There is also some talk about a rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Conor McGregor in the near future.
Due to the fine margin of the result between Fury and Ngannou, there have been calls for the two heavyweights to meet again in 2024. The latter will be buoyed by his knockdown of the world champion. He will also have learned a lot from the experience in the ring.
Ngannou is not the only MMA star the Gypsy King is being linked with. Jon Jones, the current UFC heavyweight champion, is also being discussed as a possible opponent.
Usyk Fight the Most Likely Boxing Bout
Discussions between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s parties were held earlier this year, but a deal could not be agreed for a unification contest between the two champions. New talks may now be held for that fight.
The Ukrainian was last in the ring back in September when he defeated Daniel Dubois. He has also had wins over Anthony Joshua (twice), Derek Chisora and Chazz Witherspoon in the heavyweight division. The winner of this fight would become the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis.
Unsettled Business with Domestic Rival Joshua
If a deal with Usyk cannot be reached, Fury may move on to some of the other big names in the heavyweight rankings. A clash with fellow British rival Joshua is still a fight that boxing fans want to see in the division.
Joshua is a two-time unified heavyweight champion, but his stock has fallen since his two defeats to Usyk. The 34-year-old has had wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius on his latest visits to the ring which should have boosted his confidence.
A fight with Joshua would be big enough to fill a stadium in the UK, with Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium likely to be venues in contention to hold this fight. There would also likely be interest from Saudi Arabia in hosting the clash.
Whatever the next assignment for Fury, he remains one of the biggest draws in sport. His next challenge is likely to be lucrative and watched by millions around the world.
