Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Francis Ngannou, Tyson Fury, Fan Reactions
Josh Lawless
Fan footage showed the shocking moment Francis Ngannou knocked down Tyson Fury in his first ever professional boxing fight on Saturday night.
The former UFC champion was the overwhelming outsider for the bout against WBC world heavyweight champion Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
However, the Cameroonian produced an incredible debut performance to go the distance in the ten rounder.
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Ngannou dished out some serious punishment to the Gypsy King, who ended up with a cut on his forehead.
And in the third round, Ngannou stunned the Kingdom Arena and fans around the world when he dropped Fury to the canvas after catching him with a mean left hook.
Fury was knocked down for the first time since his fight with Deontay Wilder and looked genuinely shook.
The 35-year-old got up and went on to win the bout via split decision, with two judges giving it to him and one siding with Ngannou.
The PFL fighter boxed wonderfully at times and have a tremendous account of himself - so much so that many felt he was the rightful winner.
Carl Frampton and Dan Hardy, both part of TNT Sports' coverage, believe Ngannou won the fight.
And that view was shared with plenty of viewers on social media, as "rigged" and "robbery" trended worldwide.
Chris Eubank Jr wrote: "Watching from ringside I thought Ngannou won the fight. It was close but he was the aggressor, landed heavier shots & scored a knockdown."
One fan simply commented: "They robbed Francis Ngannou."
A second stated: "Boxing has just ROBBED Francis Ngannou in front of our faces. The Baddest man on the planet, I don’t care what anyone says."
A third added: "Francis Ngannou got robbed, he dominated Tyson Fury the whole fight. They actually rigged it like the Ksi vs Tommy Fury fight."
A fourth added: "Damn, Francis Ngannou was clearly robbed. even Tyson Fury himself didn’t believe he won."
A fifth summarised: "Boxing is done. I'm tired. Unbelievable. Francis Ngannou robbed and Tyson Fury knows... JOKE."
Ngannou was denied the biggest upset in boxing since Buster Douglas beat his coach, the legendary Mike Tyson, in 1990.
But in a way he won purely from the way he fought and received a wondrous reception afterwards.
He expressed his interest in running it back with Fury and described his debut as a "great experience".
He told TNT Sports: "I am feeling great, fantastic. It didn’t go my way, I might be beaten today, I might be wounded, but I can bite.
"We can run it back again, and I’m sure I’m gonna get better. This was my first boxing match, great experience.
“I’m not gonna give any excuse, I know I came up short, but I’m gonna come back with a little more experience of the game.
“At first I was a little nervous, now I know I can do this s***. The wolf is in the house. Tonight was to feel the water, and now I know the temperature."