Tyson Fury edged out Francis Ngannou on a cut up determination on Saturday. It left a variety of questions that should be answered.
What occurred?
Fury, the WBC heavyweight titlist, needed to rise from the canvas to edge out former UFC champion Ngannou on a cut up determination.
Ngannou was having his first skilled boxing bout and levelled Fury with a left hook, earlier than occurring to make the remainder of the 10-round contest extremely aggressive, ultimately profitable for one of many judges however conceding a detailed determination on the opposite two playing cards.
Wait, what?
Sure, a no-bouter (in boxing phrases) appeared to present Fury, for most individuals the pre-eminent heavyweight in boxing right now, all he might deal with.
Ngannou arguably deserved to win it outright when Fury was actually anticipated to manage and outclass the MMA star in a boxing match.
As a substitute Ngannou virtually engineered one of many largest upsets within the historical past of the game.
Is Ngannou one of the best boxer on the earth now?
Maintain on, boxing can depend the likes of both Terence Crawford or Naoya Inoue as its most gifted fighter. Nor was this ever a 12-round title battle so Fury was all the time going to retain his WBC world championship.
However Ngannou had just about one of the best skilled boxing debut we have ever seen. You’ll be able to’t name it a case of newbie’s luck as a result of Ngannou is an elite martial artist who’d excelled within the UFC.
That Fury signed an settlement to field Oleksandr Usyk subsequent signifies he was wanting previous Ngannou, a grave error, however we do not know to what diploma Fury underperformed and Ngannou over-achieved. We have to see extra of Ngannou as a boxer, however he is gate-crashed the highest tier.
What does it imply for Tyson Fury?
Fury, the boxer, was meant to toy with Ngannou, the MMA fighter. That he did not, that many high-profile observers from each sports activities thought Ngannou ought to have gotten the choice, can be embarrassing for Fury.
Fury has a boxing legacy, he beat Wladimir Klitschko and had an amazing trilogy of fights with Deontay Wilder. However that efficiency damage his fame.
Wanting ahead, turning into the undisputed heavyweight champion, and combating British rival Anthony Joshua, would assist him safe a spot in heavyweight historical past.
Will we get the Fury vs Usyk undisputed championship battle?
We are going to. Fury and Usyk have agreed to field each other for all 4 of the most important heavyweight titles they usually reaffirmed that battle can be subsequent.
Earlier than Ngannou threw an almighty spanner within the works, they have been each eyeing that battle for December 23 of this yr.
Nonetheless after Fury took some punishment in opposition to Ngannou that date couldn’t be confirmed. Though Usyk’s crew are pushing for December 23, Fury should assess how lengthy he’ll must get better.
It is secure to say it ought to occur, however we nonetheless do not know when.
Should not Ngannou get a rematch?
If his efficiency in opposition to Fury on Saturday raised questions, a rematch ought to present solutions. Although if Fury is locked into the Usyk battle a rematch couldn’t be quick anyway.
Ngannou is mulling his subsequent choices and, having signed an settlement with PFL, his subsequent outing could possibly be a return to MMA.
A Fury rematch can have attraction for all involved, although it appears almost definitely that each can have different fights first.
Former UFC champ Ngannou confirmed spectacular boxing skill in his first bout
Will he battle different boxers?
Ngannou has served discover that his punch energy is real, he’s robust and his boxing is underrated.
He is made a reputation for himself within the boxing world now and different profitable fights can be provided to him. Anthony Joshua’s crew has advised AJ vs Ngannou, Deontay Wilder would take into account combating Ngannou (although he desires to field Joshua first).
He could be 37 years {old} however Ngannou has a future in boxing if he desires it.
Will we get extra MMA vs boxing fights?
These kinds of occasions are clearly money-spinners. Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor wasn’t aggressive but it surely was excessive profile. This was aggressive and could be cited for example to justify pitting a excessive degree UFC striker in opposition to a high class boxer. So what subsequent? Sean O’Malley vs Gervonta Davis? Why not?
As for boxers going the opposite manner, that’s taking place too. Stars of the ladies’s sport are doing it. Claressa Shields has fought in PFL and undisputed super-middleweight champion Savannah Marshall is coaching up in MMA to start out competing in that sport as nicely.
Fury does have the showdown with Oleksandr Usyk to look forward to
What does it imply for boxing?
Francis Ngannou hasn’t destroyed boxing. Boxing was doing a positive job of that every one by itself, thanks very a lot.
Whether or not it is the failure inside the sport to match one of the best in opposition to one of the best, time after time; whether or not it is boxing’s wrestle to successfully deal with efficiency enhancing drug use; whether or not it is the clear and current hazard of shedding its place within the Olympic Video games in future – this record might go on – boxing has a variety of extreme and deeply entrenched issues, and Ngannou serving up one thing of a humbling will not be the worst of them.
Boxing, extra usually than one would love, generally is a theatre of the absurd. It can be spectacular. The unimaginable dream of Francis Ngannou coming tantalisingly near turning into a actuality is a reminder that boxing could be each on the identical time.