Tyson Fury admits to using illegal move in Francis Ngannou fight that caused scorecard 'error' controversy

Tyson Fury has finally admitted to using an illegal move in his controversial fight with Francis Ngannou in October.

Fury beat Ngannou in the former UFC heavyweight champion's professional debut but it was far from a convincing display from the Gypsy King.

The WBC world heavyweight champion was knocked down in the third round after a deadly left hook and suffered a cut to the head in the bout.

Many disagreed with the judges' scorecards which gave the fight to Fury, particularly given he got away with an illegal blow.

It happened in the sixth round, with Fury catching Ngannou with an elbow strike akin to a maneuver displayed in the Octagon.

Ngannou is now embarking on a second bout inside the squared circle against Anthony Joshua.

Fury is in Riyadh for the encounter and on Wednesday, finally admitted that he did use the elbow.

Image: Getty

"I hear a lot of this coward talk from the two-time heavyweight champion of the world," Fury said.

"There was 10 knockdowns in them Wilder trilogies, I went to Germany to fight Klitschko and the US to fight Wilder.

"Where’s all this coward s*** come from? Who am I a coward from? I don’t get it.

"The one thing I can gauge is I hit him [Ngannou] with some flush punches in the face, quite a lot, and even an elbow right in the face.

"He never went over, so regardless of my performance and his performance, I know he’s a tough son of a gun.

"I couldn’t really tell if he was good or bad because I wasn’t having a good performance."

Ngannou will again take part in a ten rounder, having requested to do so.

He was told to have the usual 12, three minute rounders but knocked it back due to still only being new to the spot.

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You can watch the Joshua vs Ngannou fight live on DAZN here.

Topics: Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou, Anthony Joshua

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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