Tyson Fury is the new world heavyweight champion, after beating Wladimir Klitschko by unanimous decision in Düsseldorf.
The former Irish heavyweight champion entered the fight as a 4-1 underdog, but his calm, measured approach saw the judges award him the victory on a scoreline of 115-112, 115-112 and 116-111.
“You’re a great champion Wlad, thanks very much for having me,” said Fury, just after he was announced the winner on points.
“It was all fun and games in the build-up, I just wanted to be confident, young and brash."
After Fury’s win was confirmed, Fury called Jesus “my rock, my salvation” and went on to say: “I can’t believe it,” before breaking down into tears of joy.
“It’s hard to come to a foreign country and win,” Fury said. “When I got [the point docked, for a rabbit punch] I thought I had lost.”
Britain's new world champion Tyson Fury celebrates with the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts after winning the world heavyweight title fight. Image: Martin Meissner / AP/Press Association Images
He then sang a rendition of Aerosmith’s ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’, dedicating it to his wife and his fans in Ireland, the UK and around the world.
Only seven Britons had previously been world heavyweight champions: Bob Fitzimmons (1897-99), Michael Bentt (1993-94), Herbie Hide (1994-95 & 1997-99), Frank Bruno (1995-96), Henry Akinwande (1996-97), Lennox Lewis (1993-94, 1997-2001, 2001-2003) and David Haye (2009-11)
Fury was born in August 1988 three months premature into a family of Irish Traveller heritage in Wythenshawe, Manchester.
His father, who was a bare-knuckle fighter in the 1980s, named him Tyson after world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
Fury represented both Ireland and England at amateur level and won the ABA championship in 2008 before turning pro later that year.
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