Tyson Fury shocks Wladimir Klitschko to become world heavyweight champion
The Morecambe man outboxed the Ukrainian champion, a man who hadn’t lost in 11 years, to take the decision on all three judges’ cards and become WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight champion.
As ever, Fury had talked up his chances in the run up to the biggest fight of his life but backed it up when it mattered with the undefeated 27-year-old making heavyweight great Klitschko look every one of his 39 years.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAnnounced as from Heysham, Fury impressed from the off in front of 50,000 fans at the Esprit Arena moving well to frustrate and confuse Klitschko in the opening rounds.
Throwing in some showboating for good measure the unfancied challenger looked at ease, showing his underrated boxing ability as he switched to southpaw in the third round to further bamboozle the veteran champion.
Klitschko finally found some success in the fourth but never went through the gears, being cut under the left eye after a clash of heads in the fifth.
Fury continued to keep the champion at arm’s length as he executed a gameplan to perfection in what was a cagey rather than spectacular contest between two man mountains.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdKlitschko’s legendary jab rarely featured with the resort giant confident enough to drop his hands behind his back in the seventh.
The Ukrainian was way below his best but did land a solid right in the ninth only for Fury to fire back with two big shots of his own.
Often criticised for his physical condition Fury showed no signs of slowing as he continued to be elusive in the 10th.
It looked to be plane sailing but alarm bells were raised in the 11th when Fury was docked a point by referee Tony Weeks for a punch to the back of the head.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe controversial move from the veteran official set up an all-action final round, different to the rest of the fight, with both fighters exchanging in the run up to the final bell.
It seemed like a long wait for Fury as the cards were sorted but it was worth it with judges Cesar Ramos and Ramon Cerdan scoring it 115-112 and judge Raul Caiz Sr wider still at 116-111 to set off jubilant scenes.