Tyson Fury is the heavyweight champion of the world after defeating Wladimir Klitschko by unanimous points decision on one of the greatest nights in British boxing history

  • Englishman Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko by unanimous points decision on a sensational night in Germany
  • The 27-year-old shone throughout the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight title bout in Dusseldorf on Saturday night
  • Fury didn’t allow Klitschko to settle and the Ukrainian looked rattled, refusing to throw his right hand properly 
  • The Mancunian – a 4/1 underdog – baffled Klitschko with a measured fight in which he utilised his height and youth
  • For Fury there is now the prospect of a huge unification bout with American holder of the WBC title, Deontay Wilder

The Gypsy King of England is amazingly, wonderfully, sensationally – and tearfully – the new heavyweight champion of the world.

Tyson Fury ended the decade-long reign of the great Wladimir Klitschko with a display of astonishing nerve and virtuosity – just as he said he would.

It was the biggest shock in boxing since James Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson 25 years ago as he inflicted Kitschko’s first defeat since 2004 to win the IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles.

The 27-year-old Mancunian giant made the near-40-year-old Klitschko look slow and old with elusive daring, his impudent taunting and, above all, with his quickness of hand and foot.

After picking up his  belts, Fury could now look to the prospect of a unification bout with holder of the WBC title, Deontay Wilder

After picking up his belts, Fury could now look to the prospect of a unification bout with holder of the WBC title, Deontay Wilder

Tyson Fury erupts in delight after defeating Wladimir Klitschko by a unanimous points decision on a sensational night in Germany

Tyson Fury erupts in delight after defeating Wladimir Klitschko by a unanimous points decision on a sensational night in Germany

Fury raised both of his sizeable arms in celebration as he saluted the fans who had travelled to Germany to watch him win

Fury raised both of his sizeable arms in celebration as he saluted the fans who had travelled to Germany to watch him win

Fury, who still has three years until he turns 30, posed for pictures with his team after the greatest night of his sporting life

Fury, who still has three years until he turns 30, posed for pictures with his team after the greatest night of his sporting life

The Gypsy King headed to Germany looking to keep up his 100 per cent professional record and to fulfil what he saw as his destiny

The Gypsy King headed to Germany looking to keep up his 100 per cent professional record and to fulfil what he saw as his destiny

The man named after Mike Tyson grinned wildly with four fingers raised to signify his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts

The man named after Mike Tyson grinned wildly with four fingers raised to signify his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts

Fury broke down in tears when he saw his wife, Paris, who was at ringside wearing a jacket emblazoned with silver dollar motifs

Fury broke down in tears when he saw his wife, Paris, who was at ringside wearing a jacket emblazoned with silver dollar motifs

Paris tweeted this photo before the fight, captioned: 'Setting off to arena.'

She was among more than 50,000 people in the crowd

Paris tweeted these two photos before the fight and wrote: ‘Setting off to arena.’ She was among more than 50,000 people in the crowd

Four security staff in suits had to restrain a supporter who had invaded the ring after the fight had been decided

Four security staff in suits had to restrain a supporter who had invaded the ring after the fight had been decided

Klitschko swigged from a bottle of  water as he awaited his fate alongside his 44-year-old brother Vitali (left)

Klitschko swigged from a bottle of water as he awaited his fate alongside his 44-year-old brother Vitali (left)

Klitschko looked distraught as he walked away from the fight with his American actress partner, Hayden Panettiere

Klitschko looked distraught as he walked away from the fight with his American actress partner, Hayden Panettiere

Klitschko wraps his arm around Hayden Panettiere after the clash with Fury at the Boxing World Heavyweight Title in Dusseldorf, Germany

Klitschko wraps his arm around Hayden Panettiere after the clash with Fury at the Boxing World Heavyweight Title in Dusseldorf, Germany

The 26-year-old former 'Heroes' actress from New York draped herself in the Ukraine flag before the fight to support Klitschko

The 26-year-old former ‘Heroes’ actress from New York draped herself in the Ukraine flag before the fight to support Klitschko

Fury celebrates as Klitschko reflects on a first defeat in nine years which saw him lose the IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles

Fury celebrates as Klitschko reflects on a first defeat in nine years which saw him lose the IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles

The British supporters in the crowd began to raise the decibel levels such was Fury's brilliant surprise performance

The British supporters in the crowd began to raise the decibel levels such was Fury’s brilliant surprise performance

In Round 9 Klitschko made an error after turning his back to the challenger in the most exciting round of the fight so far

In Round 9 Klitschko made an error after turning his back to the challenger in the most exciting round of the fight so far

Fury didn't allow Klitschko to settle and the Ukrainian looked rattled, refusing to throw his right hand properly until Round 9

Fury didn’t allow Klitschko to settle and the Ukrainian looked rattled, refusing to throw his right hand properly until Round 9

Fury's win at the Esprit Arena is one of the biggest shocks in boxing since James Buster Douglas defeated Mike Tyson 25 years ago

Fury’s win at the Esprit Arena is one of the biggest shocks in boxing since James Buster Douglas defeated Mike Tyson 25 years ago

But it wasn’t simply the Ukrainian hitting the age barrier which has opened a rich world of opportunity to the man who would be happier living in a traveller’s caravan than a mansion.

As is custom, Fury burst into song in the ring after winning.

What preceded that was a phenomenal effort and a richly deserved triumph against heavy betting odds.

Fury had talked the talk for months and he didn’t just walk the walk, he danced the dance.

Klitschko struggled all night to catch up with him and although there were rounds which Fury let slip by failing to throw enough punches, his triumph was for unorthodox valiance.

Both men were generous to the other at the end.

Fury may have to do it all again as it is believe there is a re-match clause in the contract.

Perhaps back in Germany if that proves to be the best commercial prospect. Although Wembley Stadium would fill for this one.

Whether Kitschko would want to go through all the frustration again is another matter.

He could retire.

For Fury, who now holds all those treasured belts, there is the prospect of a huge unification bout with American holder of the WBC title, Deontay Wilder.

Fury thanked Jesus. Klitschko admitted: ‘I couldn’t land by jab or my big right.’

That says it all.

It was just above freezing in Dusseldorf but the roof firmly closed over the Esprit Arena and the carpet covering the football turf ensured a hot night, at least so far as the temperature within was concerned.

This was a welcome change from Hamburg three years ago when Klitschko beat David Haye as icy winds swirled teeming rain around the canopy covering the ring, soaking the rest of us.

Generating a fight to match the heat of the great indoors was up to Fury and Klitschko but they had a comfortable environment in which to work.

A second threat by Fury to pull out of the biggest night of his life had also given him the foothold he wanted in the ring. A protest, supported by the British Boxing Board of Control, secured the removal of a thick layer of foam from under the canvas which gave the floor of the ring the impression of a bouncy castle, which would have put a man of Fury’s vast size at risk of a twisted ankle.

Fury said he had ‘never been in a ring so spongy’. He won that appeal, as he had already prevailed with his demand to wear his preferred gloves.

So the big fight went ahead, with Fury having just been told by his wife, Paris, that she is expecting their third child. Despite being pregnant she was at ringside wearing a jacket emblazoned with silver dollar motifs, among a crowd of more than 50,000.

The rich and famous wined and dined sumptuously on one end of the pitch, in the manner to which they have become accustomed at these lavish Klitschko occasions.

There was another complaint when Team Fury discovered that Klitschko’s hands had been wrapped without their observer present. The champion duly unwrapped and re-wrapped his hands.

Fury connects with his left fist as he frustrated Klitschko with an unorthodox and madcap style - often holding his hands behind his back

Fury connects with his left fist as he frustrated Klitschko with an unorthodox and madcap style – often holding his hands behind his back

Fury, who had never proved himself at the kind of stage he was on, looked right at home in the Esprit Arena ring

Fury, who had never proved himself at the kind of stage he was on, looked right at home in the Esprit Arena ring

Both men were more cautious after the right-hook exchanges in the fifth but Fury continued to play games in the ring

Both men were more cautious after the right-hook exchanges in the fifth but Fury continued to play games in the ring

Klitschko bled profusely from his face after being cut; the 39-year-old was caught on his top right eyelid, and on his left side, too

Klitschko bled profusely from his face after being cut; the 39-year-old was caught on his top right eyelid, and on his left side, too

Rod Stewart – as well as the thousands holding up their mobile phones, as lights around the stadium in tribute to the veteran rocker – was then kept waiting for his pre-fight cameo of one song: ‘Stay With Me Tonight.’

The heated hand-wrap issue in the dressing room delayed not only rocking Rod but the fight. The vehemence of the protest might have been part of the Fury attempt to rattle Klitschko.

If so, Lennox Lewis, at ringside as an analyst for German TV, put it into perspective by saying: ‘They may be trying to unsettle him but to Wladimir, after all his fights, it will be just a delay which might make him even more determined.’

Fury advanced half-way across the ring during the national anthems to grin and grimace at Klitschko. He continued dancing and prancing about the ring during Michael Buffer’s Ready to Rumble introductions.

He answered the first bell by racing across the ring and had the best of the early exchanges, landing some exploratory left hooks. He also landed some jabs between feinting and making Klitschko miss, and won the round surprisingly comfortably.

Fury had come in light, and his foot, as well as hand, speed was bothering Klitschko. A right-left combination forced Klitschko into a clinch and Fury banked another round, to perturbed silence among the German majority in the stadium.

By Round 6 the match was extremely tight; Klitschko did not have assertive authority over 27-year-old Fury

By Round 6 the match was extremely tight; Klitschko did not have assertive authority over 27-year-old Fury

 Fury in green trunks, and Klitschko in red, exchange blows midway through the WBA, IBF & WBO heavyweight title bout

 Fury in green trunks, and Klitschko in red, exchange blows midway through the WBA, IBF & WBO heavyweight title bout

Klitschko predicted a chess match and so it was proving; the crowd rallied behind him and he responded by moving to close quarters

Klitschko predicted a chess match and so it was proving; the crowd rallied behind him and he responded by moving to close quarters

TYSON FURY BY NUMBERS

25 – Number of bouts Fury has contested, winning all of them.

3 – Number of judges in Dusseldorf which gave Fury the win, with two awarding him a 115-112 win and one a 116-111 win.

18 – Number of his 28 wins which have come via knockout.

86 – Number of punches landed by Fury from 202 thrown, compared to 52 from the outgoing champion.

4/1 – The pre-fight odds on a Fury victory against the heavy favourite Klitschko.

8 – Fury becomes the eighth British world heavyweight champion and first since David Haye in 2009.

146 – Number of rounds Fury has fought in his 25 bouts.

23 – Fury’s win ends a 23-fight undefeated record for the Ukrainian Klitschko, who was last beaten in 2004.

30million – The estimated number of pounds Fury will earn from his success in Germany.

He began tormenting Klitschko with his Ali-esque dancing and was proving difficult for the long-time champion to hit. With Fury more concerned with bamboozling his opponent and both men missing, neither landed the punches to win the round.

The home crowd rallied behind Klitschko and he responded by moving to close quarters. Klitschko had predicted a chess match and so it was proving.

Fury broke the stalemate with a lunging charge but failed to connect properly and thereafter did not throw enough punches to prevent Klitschko stealing the round.

Fury was making the dominant heavyweight of the past decade look slow and awkward but he needed telling punches to make it count. When he tried to up the work rate he was caught by Klitschko’s first big right of the night.

Each landed heavy rights – and both took them. As did Fury when Klitschko clipped him near the end.

The Brit had been warned for punching the back of the head but now he patted him on the backside in a clinch and laughed at Klitschko. The champion could only grimace back as a cut on his left cheek, probably from a clash of heads opened wider. Again a narrow win for Fury on my card.

Fury came out without his gum-shield initially but the delay was brief and he had slightly the better of an ugly round, by courtesy of the clipping right which followed two good jabs.

His elusive movement was making it so difficult for Klitschko to land his trademark right but he was missing with his own. When Klitschko did connect heavily the home crowd came to, although Fury merely smiled.

Fury’s corner went wild when he landed a heavy right of his own but Klitschko took that, too.

Fury needed to re-impose his jab to retain control but was rocked by two in quick succession from Klitschko. More followed and Klitschhko was closing.

Klitschko came out in an urgent effort to save the titles he has held for so long. Fury was slowing somewhat and the punches he did throw were not landing cleanly.

The 39-year-old was cut again, this time above the right eye. Perhaps vitally, Fury had a point deducted by American referee Tony Weekes for punching the back of the head. That turned a winning round for Fury into an even one.

Perhaps sensing the officials might be against him, Fury went for broke in the last. Klitschko responded with a huge effort of his own and rocked Fury in the corner.

It was a grandstand finish with the crowd going willd. Two more huge blows had Tyson reeling, holding, and almost gone. It had been a tremendous effort by the giant Mancunian and I had him winning by two points.

In Round 2, Fury's style seemed to be troubling the champion, who seemed to be missing the comfort of his usual reach advantage

In Round 2, Fury’s style seemed to be troubling the champion, who seemed to be missing the comfort of his usual reach advantage

Fury answered the first bell by racing across the ring; the Englishman came out of the blocks quickly, constantly throwing feints

Fury answered the first bell by racing across the ring; the Englishman came out of the blocks quickly, constantly throwing feints

The two big heavyweight man mountains faced off in the ring as the lasers beamed towards the ceiling at the German arena

The two big heavyweight man mountains faced off in the ring as the lasers beamed towards the ceiling at the German arena

The Wythenshawe-born heavyweight stood on the edge of the ring to work up the crowd before the fight began

The Wythenshawe-born heavyweight stood on the edge of the ring to work up the crowd before the fight began

Fury also blew a kiss to his supporters as he entered the ring before the start of the fight at the Esprit Arena

Fury also blew a kiss to his supporters as he entered the ring before the start of the fight at the Esprit Arena

Veteran 70-year-old singer Rod Stewart performed one of his songs in the ring prior to the big fight in Dusseldorf

Veteran 70-year-old singer Rod Stewart performed one of his songs in the ring prior to the big fight in Dusseldorf

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-3337832/Tyson-Fury-heavyweight-champion-world-defeating-Wladimir-Klitschko-Esprit-Arena-Dusseldorf-one-greatest-nights-British-boxing-history.html#ixzz3swDfxdLV
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