BOXING fans claim to have spotted the moment that they “knew” Tyson Fury’s win over Francis Ngannou was “fixed”.
The Gypsy King laboured to a controversial split decision triumph over his MMA star opponent in Riyadh last night.
DAZNFrank Warren exchanged words with Tyson Fury moments before the decision was announced[/caption]
DAZNThe promoter appeared to reassure his fighter[/caption]
ReutersThe Gypsy King won via a controversial split decision[/caption]
Fury, 35, was floored for just the seventh time in his career in round three.
While he was cut and bruised by Ngannou for much of the bout.
Judge Ed Garner scored the contest 95-94 in favour of the Cameroonian.
But Alan Krebs and Juan Carlos Pelayo had it at 95-94 and, astonishingly, 96-93 for Fury respectively.
After the fact, Ngannou told ESPN that even Fury would admit that he won the fight.
Fans were left even more unhappy at an exchange between the Gypsy King and promoter Frank Warren moments before the decision was revealed.
Many social media users appeared to believe that Warren told Fury: “Don’t worry, you’ve got this.”
Fury was then alleged to have replied: “Of course.”
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The stats from the fight show Fury landed more punches overall and in the majority of the rounds
While such an exchange of faith could be commonplace, many fans online weren’t having it.
One tweeted: “Frank Warren telling #fury you’ve got this in the ring before the scores came in tells you everything corrupt as f***.”
While a second added moneybags emojis as he wrote: “What did warren buffet say to fury right before that decision. “Don’t worry, you got this” in other words….”we got you”.”
A third suspiciously posted: “Frank Warren whispered ‘you’ve got this” just before decisions and Fury replied “of course”. Only two men in the place who thought that.”
And a fourth fumed: “Boxing is so fixed! Never in a million years did Fury win that!
“Even Frank Warren telling him “you’ve got this” tells you everything you need know!”
A fifth fired: “Ngannou won that fight and it’s not even a debate. Can clearly see Frank Warren tell Tyson “he’s got this” before judges scorecard was announced. Boxing never changes.”
Another added: “Before the scorecards, Warren told Tyson “You got this dw” & Tyson didnt look shocked. Says it all.”
‘FRANCIS IS A HELL OF A FIGHTER’
After the bout, Fury admitted his respect for Ngannou.
He said: “That definitely wasn’t in the script. Francis is a hell of a fighter.
“He’s strong, he’s a big puncher and a lot better boxer than we thought he’d ever be.”
The 35-year-old added: “He’s a very awkward man and he’s a very good puncher.
“And I respect him a lot, before the fight and after the fight.”
Fury had belittled Ngannou’s chances of even being competitive prior to the fight, with the 37-year-old brilliantly hitting back on social media.
Asked by ESPN if anything had surprised him in the fight, Ngannou said: “The fact that I didn’t win surprised me… If he’s being honest, he would say I won that fight. I won that fight; there’s not a question about it.
“But even before getting here, I knew I’m not winning a decision. Because I’m a new guy in the house.
“I know they need – there’s a structural business out there – and you need to do a lot to destroy that. It is what it is.”
GettyFrancis Ngannou floored Fury in the third round[/caption]
AFPThe Cameroonian earned plenty of plaudits for his performance[/caption]