BRITAIN’S Tyson Fury delivered on his promise to shock the world by beating long-reigning world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko handily to win the WBO, IBF and WBA titles in what Sky Sports described as “an inspired display.”
All three judges had Fury the winner with scorecards of 116-111 and two tallies of 115-112 as he ended the reign of boxing’s most dominant heavyweight of the 21st century in the ESPRIT arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Fury was light-footed and danced around on his toes but didn’t land any brutal shots against Klitschko who gave away three inches in height to the 6’9” Fury.
Fury was penalized a point but it made no difference as he forced Klitschko to unsuccessfully chase him for most of the rounds.
Despite the skirmishes over the gloves and a soft ring canvas, Fury remained focused in the chaos all week leading up to the fight and as Sky Sports reported “he appeared totally at home when it truly mattered.”
Fury pelted the champion with verbal tirades before, during and immediately after the national anthems – then continued the insults as he dashed out of his corner,circling away from Klitschko’s powerful right hand and peppering him from the outside.
Fury landed the first meaningful blow with a left hook as Klitschko backed up, midway through the second. While there was little between them, Fury had visibly settled into his surroundings quicker.
He switched to southpaw, performed an Ali shuffle and even showboated with his hands behind his back. Klitschko never flinched and stalked his foe but he failed to land even one solid right hand which was his best weapon.
An accidental clash of heads opened up a cut under Klitschko’s left eye and Fury immediately went after the champion and connected with a right.
A second cut above the same eye appeared to spark Klitschko who connected with a solid right in the ninth round but Fury shook it off and called for more. As they became embroiled in close quarters, Klitschko briefly and bizarrely turned his back, drawing an eye-catching left hook.