The Boulevard Hall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was the epicenter of boxing action as Tyson Fury squared off against the novice Francis Ngannou in a bout that had fans on the edge of their seats. The evening was filled with intense matchups and unexpected outcomes.
In the main event, Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) faced a surprising challenge from Francis Ngannou (0-1). Despite Fury’s experience and undefeated record, Ngannou managed to drop the “Gypsy King” in the third round with a powerful shot. However, Fury’s resilience saw him through to the end, and he secured a split decision victory with scores of 95-94 for Ngannou, and 96-93 and 95-94 in favor of Fury.
The co-main event showcased Fabio Wardley (17-0, 16 KOs) against David Adeleye (12-1, 11 KOs). In what was anticipated to be the best fight of the night, Wardley managed to stop the previously unbeaten Adeleye in the seventh round. Despite the competitive nature of the bout, Wardley’s prowess was evident, and he finished Adeleye with a series of powerful shots at the 2:43 mark.
Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (33-3, 23 KOs) made quick work of Simon Kean (23-2, 22 KOs), finishing him in the third round. Parker’s devastating uppercut sent Kean to the canvas, and the referee deemed Kean unable to continue.
Meanwhile, Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-0, 17 KOs) showcased his dominance by knocking out Junior Anthony Wright (20-5-1, 17 KOs) in the first round, solidifying his reputation as a heavyweight phenom.
On the undercard, heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma (6-0, 4 KOs) displayed his power and precision against Istvan Bernath (10-2, 8 KOs). Itauma's impressive performance culminated in a first-round stoppage, marking a significant victory in his budding career.
In another bout, heavyweight contender Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) demonstrated his prowess by stopping the seasoned Carlos Takam (40-8-1, 28 KOs) in the fourth round. Bakole’s combination of body shots and a decisive right to the head proved too much for Takam.
Lastly, junior middleweight Jack McGann (9-0-1, 6 KOs) kept his unbeaten record intact with a second-round knockout against Alcibiade Duran (12-4, 9 KOs), further establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the division.
Image Credit: Top Rank