Tyson Fury talked a good game and did even better backing it up as he ended Wladimir Klitschko’s long reign over the heavyweight division with a unanimous decision victory in Dusseldorf, Germany, to take home the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles.
Just as he said he would, the 27-year-old with a colorful personality made it clear that he would be the one to end the Klitschko’s decade-plus supremacy at the top of the food chain. And when he was finished talking with his fists, and the ESPIRIT Arena full of pro-Klitschko fans sat in disbelief at what transpired, Fury decided to stop jawing and sang a rendition of Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” to his wife.
It was a fitting end to what had been quite the interesting promotion leading up to the heavyweight tilt as Fury did everything he could to get under the skin of Klitschko. His colorful antics including dressing up as Batman and spewing a number of one-liners more fitting for a standup comedian than a fighter. Serenading his wife with an Aerosmith tune was probably the least peculiar thing he could have done.
But what wasn’t peculiar was what took place in the ring as Tyson Fury – who is named after hard-hitting heavyweight legend Mike Tyson – used his size and speed to make Klitschko (64-4) look every bit of his 39 years. Standing at 6-foot-9 with an 85-inch reach (compared to Klitschko’s 6-foot-6 frame with an 81-inch reach), Fury (25-0) worked behind a long jab to keep the Ukrainian off balance. The action was limited but Fury was more effective as he landed 86 of 371 punches to Klitschko’s 52 of 310 punches.
What led to Klitschko’s abysmal output is anyone’s guess, but Fury proved to be the busier fighter and was just as animated inside of the ring as he was leading up to the fight. He talked while being light on his toes as Klitschko was unable to let the right hand go or do anything with the tentpole jab that he has been known to utilize in order to set up his power shots.
Fury wasn’t terribly dominant, although he did have his moments towards the end of the fight. Klitschko’s trainer, Johnathon Banks, tried to put a fire under his fighter after the 10th round by stating that a knockout was needed, but Klitschko simply wouldn’t oblige as the fight ended and Fury had his hand raised with scores of 116-11, 115-112 and 115-112. Fury’s victory cracks the heavyweight division wide open and opens the door to a possible intriguing showdown with current WBC titleholder Deontay Wilder.
"This is a dream come true," said a tearful Fury, who himself doubted that he could win a decision against Klitschko. "It's hard to come to foreign countries and get decisions. It just means so much to me to come here and get the decision."
 | @Deadspin | |
Tyson Fury celebrated winning the heavyweight title by singing Aerosmith to his wife... badly pic.twitter.com/vgqnsKnvrp
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