Saudi Arabia - In a non-title crossover boxing match, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) was forced to get off the floor to win a razor-close ten round split decision over MMA veteran Francis Ngannou (17-3 in MMA, 0-1 in boxing) in a fight that was more competitive than anyone could have expected.
The scores were 95-94 for Ngannou, 96-93 for Fury, and 95-94 for Fury.
Fury will now move forward with an undisputed fight against WBO, IBF, IBO WBA champion Oleskandr Usyk, who was seated at ringside. Their fight takes place on December 23, also in Saudi Arabia.
