The stars came out in anticipation of seeing something spectacular but none could have predicted what unfolded at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The man who many predicted the winner did have his hand raised, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) winning by split decision but under controversial circumstances as MMA star Francis Ngannou (0-1) dropped him in the third on route to what many are claiming a morale victory.

The fight started with Fury utilising the jab, trying to open opportunities for the overhand right but had to contend with a small cut in the second after a coming together of heads. Fury told all at the pre-fight presser that he would meet Ngannou at centre ring and he did just that in the third but while he stepped in he was caught with a left hook that dropped him to the canvas. Shock etched on the face of unified Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk was the reaction shared by all.

Ngannou kept the pressure on, having another impressive round in the eighth but the jab of Fury seemed to have done enough throughout to win on the judges scorecards by 95-94 Ngannou, 96-93, 95-94 Fury, much to the dissatisfaction of the boxing / MMA public.

Fury now set up a December 23 clash against WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed title at the same venue.

“That definitely wasn’t in the script. He’s one hell of a fighter. He’s strong, a big puncher, and a lot better as a boxer than we thought he would ever be” said Tyson Fury “He’s a very awkward man, and he’s a good puncher. I respect him a lot, before the fight and afterward”

“He was very awkward. He wasn’t coming forward. He was standing back and waiting for me to land my punches and then try to counter. He’s a good fighter. He’s given me one of my toughest fights in the last 10 years.

“[The knockdown] is part of boxing. I got caught behind the head again. My legs weren’t hurt or nothing. I was alright. And I got back up and it was what it was. And I got back to my boxing. I don’t know how close it was. But I got the win, and that’s what it is.”

“We can run it back again, and I’m sure I will get better. This was my first boxing match. It was a great experience” said Francis Ngannou “I’m not giving any excuse. I know I came up short. But I’m going to go back and work harder with a little more experience and a little more feeling of the game. And I will come back even stronger.

“At first, I was a little nervous. This is a new sport that I never did. Now I know I can do this sh*t. So, get ready!”