Fury survives knockdown in split decision Ngannou win

Tyson Fury had to get up off the canvas before grinding his way to a highly unconvincing split decision win over Francis Ngannou in their heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia.

What appeared a mismatch between the WBC champion and a mixed martial artist boxing professionally for the first time did not go according to plan for Fury, who was decked by a left hook in the third round.

Despite rising to his feet almost immediately, Fury was on unsteady legs in the moments afterwards before getting behind his jab, keen to stay out of range of the former UFC heavyweight champion.

Fury ate a few more big shots and ended the fight with a cut above his forehead and a welt under his left eye - which could have an impact on a proposed showdown against Oleksandr Usyk on 23 December.

But the Briton, whose world title was not on the line, was spared what would have been one of the biggest upsets of all-time after being given the nod 96-93 and 95-94 on two scorecards, as the third judge sided with Ngannou 95-94 following an unexpectedly keenly contested 10-round encounter.

"That definitely wasn't in the script," Fury said in the ring immediately after improving his record to 34 wins and one draw.

"Francis is a hell of a fighter; strong, a big puncher and a lot better boxer than we all thought he would ever be. He's a very awkward man and a I respect him a lot - before the fight and afterwards.

"He's given me one of my toughest fights in the last 10 years. I don't know how close it was but I got the win and that's what it is. No excuses, Francis caught me with some good punches, fair play to him."

The fight was billed as the start to 'Riyadh Season', with Saudi Arabia heavily criticised for trying to 'sportswash' its reputation and distract from