Tyson Fury survived a knockdown and went on to beat Francis Ngannou in a controversial decision on Saturday night, avoiding a major upset. WBC heavyweight champion Fury squared off with Ngannou – a mixed martial artist and ex-UFC champion – in a professional boxing match in Saudi Arabia, with the Cameroonian stunning the Briton in Round 3 with a knockdown, clipping him on the top of the head with a fine left hook. Ngannou, 37, was making his boxing debut yet outfought Fury, 35, for much of the bout, as a stunned audience looked on in Riyadh. However, Fury avoided the first loss of his professional career when he was named a split-decision winner – 94-95, 96-93, 95-94. Ngannou was a massive underdog in the main event in Riyadh but produced a superb performance with immense discipline and aggression, and many figures in the world of boxing declared that the “Predator” had been denied a rightful win. After the fight, Oleksandr Usyk entered the ring to face off with Fury, whom he is contracted to fight next. Ukrainian Usyk, unbeaten like Fury, holds the unified heavyweight boxing titles. The pair have been rumoured to clash in Riyadh on 23 December, though Fury and his promoter Frank Warren played coy after the fight with Ngannou. “That definitely wasn’t in the script,” said Fury. “[Ngannou] is a lot better of a boxer than we thought he’d be. He’s a very awkward man, and he’s a good puncher, and I respect him a lot. He was very awkward, he wasn’t coming forward; he was waiting for me to throw my punches then looking to counter. “[The knockdown] is a part of boxing. I got caught behind the head. I got up and it was alright; I got back to my boxing. “I don’t know how close [the fight] was, but I got the win and that’s what it is. I’ve been out the ring a long time again. You can see it in here – ring rust, everything. No excuses, though. He’s cut me across the eye there. It was a good, rough fight. Perfect.” Usyk, 36, then said: “Let’s go. I’m going to be fighting him, amazing. It’s a big fight, the whole world wants this fight. We’re back in this ring, 23 December, thank you very much, I go to sleep.” Fury said: “It’s been going on a long time, let’s do the fight – over here, for all the belts, the undisputed title of the world. Listen, it’s not up to me; we’d go now. These guys will sort it out, it’ll be my next fight guaranteed.” But Warren added: “I don’t think the date will be announced just yet. This fight is on. Both fighters want it. Tyson’s got a cut there. We’ll see how it heals. “It’s the biggest fight in boxing. Everybody wants to see it. They’ll see it in Saudi, it’ll break all box-office records.” Read More Fury vs Ngannou prize money: How much are fighters earning tonight? Cristiano Ronaldo ‘punches’ Tyson Fury as pair joke ahead of Francis Ngannou fight David Adeleye sparks outrage after punching referee on Fury v Ngannou undercard Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk confirm date for heavyweight unification fight David Adeleye punches referee on Fury v Ngannou undercard Fury vs Ngannou stream fails as fans left with screeching sound

Former NFL cornerback Damon Arnette has pleaded not guilty and his lawyer has filed a written challenge of allegations that Arnette displayed a handgun during an argument with Las Vegas Strip casino valets more than a year ago

Formula 1 will produce the television coverage of the Monaco Grand Prix next week – ending a longstanding grip on the event from local broadcasters. F1 produces the world feed for every race on the calendar, with Monaco previously being the anomaly among a season of 22 races in 2023 – a figure which has dropped from 23 after Imola’s cancellation this weekend due to flooding in the Emilia Romagna region. Local TV station Tele Monte Carlo had been the producers of one of the sport’s most famous races, but F1 will now control the broadcasting of the event, including the world feed. The local hosts have been criticised in recent years for their feed, with examples of key action being missed and shots shown at random times. A memorable instance was in 2021, when a battle for position between Sebastian Vettel and Pierre Gasly after a pit-stop was cut-out for a random replay of Lance Stroll’s car running wide at the swimming pool chicane. The event’s production is now set to improve by F1 moving it in-house, with new and improved angles in addition to traditional shots around the twists and turns of the principality. Monaco has been out on its own in locally producing their F1 race for the last 11 years, since Fuji Television stopped producing the Japanese Grand Prix in 2011. Previous to that, F1 gradually took the reigns at grands prix around the world from local hosts to in-house production. 2023 marks the first in a three-year deal between F1 and the Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM), in the short-term stamping out doubts about the future of the blue-ribbon race. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won last year’s Monaco Grand Prix in wet conditions. The Mexican trails team-mate Max Verstappen by 14 points heading into this year’s race. Hometown favourite Charles Leclerc will be eyeing his first ever podium at a race he has notoriously struggled at since his F1 debut in 2018. The Ferrari star has secured pole positions in the last two years but was unable to take to the start line in 2021 due to a mechanical failure and a pit-stop blunder in 2022 meant he finished fourth. Read More F1 race schedule: What time is the Monaco Grand Prix next Sunday? Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are the biggest losers from Imola Grand Prix cancellation F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix cancelled after heavy flooding in region Will Imola Grand Prix be rescheduled?

Texas State outyarded Arkansas State, had 36 more plays from scrimmage and held an eight-minute advantage in possession time

Alex Verdugo hit a two-run homer, Reese McGuire added his first of the season fresh off the injured list, and the Boston Red Sox snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-4 win over the Seattle Mariners

Even though they’re in opposing dugouts this week, New York Mets pitcher Carlos Carrasco and Chicago White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks are members of the same inspiring club

Lane Thomas hit a grand slam and the Washington Nationals routed the Chicago White Sox 13-3

England captain Millie Bright has been cleared to start the Lionesses’ Women’s World Cup opener against Haiti

The 2024 Major League Soccer All-Star series is headed back to Columbus, Ohio.

Francesco Bagnaia goes into the final weekend of a thrilling MotoGP season in Valencia with the defence of his crown still in the balance though sole rival Jorge Martin appears to have given up hope...

A Portuguese court was due on Monday to deliver its verdict on hacker Rui Pinto, whose flood of "Football Leaks" revelations exposed...

Manchester United forward Antony was taken off on a stretcher after sustaining an injury during the first half of his team’s Premier League game against Chelsea