Newly crowned world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury rattled the boxing world by becoming the first man in over a decade to defeat Wladimir Klitschko.
A pro-Klitschko crowd in Germany sat in stunned silence for most of the 12-round championship bout, as Fury out-hustled Klitschko to snatch all four of the Ukrainian’s titles and improve his own perfect record to 25-0.
The 27-year-old was better from the start. He was quicker, landed more punches, and connected with the most impactful blows of the entire bout.
It was hardly a riveting fight, but Fury did enough to author arguably the sport’s biggest upsets of 2015, earning a unanimous point victory with scores of 115-112, 115-112, 116-111.
Fury’s historic championship capture represents a turning point in heavyweight boxing, for better or worse.
It’s a change applauded by most boxing fans, who have long wished for a new champion. For many, Klitschko’s reign of dominance was largely met with indifference.
While nobody could dispute that a nine-and-a-half year run as champ with 19 successful title defences was impressive, Klitschko was often criticised for his tedious boxing style and lording over a weak crop of heavies.
For the sport of boxing, getting a new king in the marquee division is a perfect scenario.
Fury is a different breed of fighter than Klitschko. He has been compared to a carnival barker outside of the roped ring, spewing insults left and right to drum up interest in his fight, but has also backed up every single word once the bell sounds.
Standing six-foot-nine and weighing 112 kilos, the British boxer overwhelms opponents with a fast jab and swift counters, finishing almost three-quarters of his fights by knockout.
After Fury’s shocking win, WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder took to social media to call out the new unified champ.
“I see you @Tyson_Fury… #ImComingForYou,” he tweeted. Wilder followed it up by declaring himself the new king of the heavyweight castle.
He added, “I’m officially the best heavyweight champ of the world! Haters can acknowledge it or look foolish trying to deny it.”
Tweeters were ecstatic, pondering the humongous championship unification bout, but it seems that Fury versus Wilder won’t come to fruition – at least, not in the immediate future.
Klitschko confirmed after the fight that he had a rematch clause written into the bout agreement and plans to execute it.
The former champ, who turns 40 in May, deserves his opportunity at redemption, but would need to make some major adjustments to reclaim the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles he lost.
His rotten performance is underlined by the punch stats. Klitschko landed 52 of 231 overall punches and 18 of 69 power shots. That’s an all-time low for Klitschko, whose previous worst for a 12 rounder was 109 landed punches against David Haye.
That’s not to discredit Klitschko. This is one awful performance in a Hall of Fame-worthy career, but it seems Father Time may have caught up with him.
Fury is by no means a speedy puncher, but he ran circles around the Ukrainian, who seemingly grew older and older with every minute that ticked by.
Klitschko even acknowledged the speed different following his fourth career loss, saying, “I prepared well, but my speed was missing tonight and I didn’t expect the speed from him.”
Whether or not Fury goes on to have a storied reign as champ is unclear, but one thing’s for sure – the British brawler has made history, forcing a true changing of the guard moment and giving boxing’s glamor division a much-needed shot in the arm.
Anthony De Vita
Roar Rookie
It's definitely true that the heavyweight division is not very impressive, even compared to the 1990's, but Fury is most definitely not a brawler. His 'wild punches' were the only risks taken in the fight, and they were necessary to hit such a cautious fighter as Klitschko. Klitschko has not had all his success by adapting to opponents. He has been successful by imposing a risk free style of jabbing and holding with an occasional right hand thrown in for good measure. That style did not work on a man his own size with fast footwork and head movement. Klitschko only punches when he is sure that his shot will land, and he never felt that way in this fight. You can say he got old, if you want, but I think Fury should get credit for being the first fighter to make him look old. Nobody else has in 11 years.
Chivasdude
Guest
For heavyweight boxing, this fight was a new low. The best thing about it was that Klitschko was beaten. He is an average boxer whose, albeit impressive, record over a long period of time was the result of a very poor stock of heavyweight fighters. But, as they say, boxers get old in the ring and he did. Fury is quite the personality, but his fighting style was agricultural at best. It was an atrocious fight with more haymakers, mauling and hugging than a circus carnival. Not the sweet science this sport at the heavyweight level. Let's hope a new champion with a clue how to box emerges, or it is back to the lighter weights for me.
Justin Faux
Expert
Povetkin vs. Wilder is a great match-up, really high stakes business especially after this past weekend. That one still isn't official, but I would expect it to be get booked for the first quarter of 2016. Who would you pick in that one?
Rabbits
Guest
Son of a Gun! Tyson Fury heavyweight champion of the world, who woulda thought. Well done ya big Gypsy.
Kavvy
Guest
I think Luis Ortiz should be subbed in and Stiverne subbed out of that list. Stiverne very limited. Hopefully Joseph Parker enters the conversation in a couple of years. Interested to see Povetkin v Wilder 1st half of 2016, should be v interesting
Kavvy
Guest
I reckon you could take Stiverne out and throw in Luis Ortiz on that list, Stiverne pretty limited Joseph Parker can hopefully join this list in a couple of years too. Very intrigued to see Wilder v Povetkin 1st half of next year.
Justin Faux
Expert
I agree. I think a fully fit and properly trained Klitschko beats every heavyweight of this era, but if he really is washed up Fury might make lightning strike twice.
Justin Faux
Expert
Good comparison Tristan, I thought Rocky was in some serious trouble in that fight. King hurt Jerkic with blows to the head and the body, but the more well-rounded boxer won in the end - just as most of us predicted for Klitschko-Fury.
Big J
Guest
Like all fighters, the fight is won and loss in the gym. If his preparations are lacking he won't win. But like it said if he trains well with no distractions he should be able to win it back, was not at his best yesterday so let's see how he goes. Still think that fury won't be around for long
Johnno
Guest
Justin, well said, you established "Tyson Fury's strengths" -Punching Power/agression/physical intimidation/will to win, which are very good strengths to have. What will be interesting is his weaknesses. -I don't think he's that technical, or that fast to be honest. Can he take a punch, I don't know. He's won over 20 fights, hasn't lost yet. He did well vs an agressive fighter like Derrick Chissora. I wouldn't mind seeing Alex Leapai have a swing at Tyson Fury. -Foreman had a lot of punching power, but he had a rock solid chin, he could take the hits too. If Tyson Fury can take a punch, he might be elevated higher in status, that will be a big test. Ron Lyle, a better version of say Derrick Chissora, but Ron Lyle was tall too. He rocked Foreman, Foreman went down a few times. It was his own punching power that saved him and a lot of heart, but Ron Lyle pushed him to the max, in that fight Foreman almost lost, there was no fear in Ron Lyle's eyes, like Mike Tyson was very aggressive. -I saw fear in Klitschko's eyes I reckon anyway. But your point about the re-match fight 2 is critical. We'll know then if it was just Klitschko had an off night, or he's past it, or just met a better younger more talented fighter in Tyson Fury. -That young kiwi Joespeh Parker, is damn impressive, and his speed for a heavyweight is sublime. He destroyed Kali Meehan a few months ago, who was same height as Klitschko but more menacing style and a hard man. Kali Meehan is older now but still a very good fighter, he beat Shane Cameron, and might still be Australian champ.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
If you saw Saturday night's bouts, you'll have seen Rocky Jerkic, a skillful boxer, almost get taken down by Shannon King, who offered a crazy brawling style but is hard as a rock. Similar in nature, very different outcome though!
Justin Faux
Expert
The more I discuss it with you guys in the comments, the more I'm interested in seeing Klitschko-Fury II, which isn't something I expected after watching them "fight" for 36 minutes yesterday. I agree that I think Fury is a B+ player. Will usually lose to the absolute elite, but on the right night with his power, aggression and general will to win can tip over the apple cart and cause an upset. Love to be wrong, though. He's the type of personality that could actually make people pay to see heavyweight title fights again.
Justin Faux
Expert
I guess it all hinges on whether or not Klitschko is over the hill. He sure looked like an inferior form of the fighter I just a few days ago heralded as one of the 10 best heavyweights ever. I'm tossing and turning on this one, but I think Fury has to be the favourite heading into the rematch. It will probably be an atrocious fight (again) but an incredibly important one to determine the immediate future of heavyweight boxing.
Big J
Guest
I don't think that fury will be champ for very long. This reminds me of fights like lewis v rokman and Ali v Spinks when a champ has an off day and reclaims in the rematch. Klitschko needs to reset himself have an no Acces training camp and win back his titles. Then he can retire or go unification with wilder. What do you think
Johnno
Guest
Good points Justin, maybe a combination of both (age+underestimated him). Tyson Fury is a decent fighter okay, but nothing I've seen from his career suggests, he's any better than say, the Micheal Moorer's or Hasan Rahman standard fighters. Riddick Bowe in his prime I'd back to beat Tyson Fury.
Big J
Guest
I really do not think that fury will be champ for that long. This reminds me of lewis v rock man no1 or Ali v Spinks, the champ although way past his prime just had a shit day and made up for it in the rematch. I feel the Klitschko will pull himself together after this, go to a private camp, have no distractions and reclaim the title. Then he may retire or go unifications with wilder
Justin Faux
Expert
To your point Johnno, fighters like Haye seemed to (on paper) have the goods to at the very least give Klitschko a run for his money and they were major flops. This leads me to think he either underestimated Fury and didn't prepare, or old age has finally caught up to Klitschko.
Justin Faux
Expert
To be fair to Fury, he is actually a very skilled boxer who beats 95+ percent of heavies in the weight class right now, bu I agree that stylistically this fight suited Klitschko. To your point of Klitschko getting his titles back and retiring - that would be a great thing for Klitschko's legacy and the absolute worst case scenario for the immediate future of heavyweight boxing.
Roy
Guest
So much for height advantage... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvCHk_kKpVI
Johnno
Guest
Rugby stu, yep good points. It seems Klitchko has a weakness, as do all fighters. He gets akward against aggressive fighters, as aggression doesn't seem a strong part of his game. Klitchko has lots of other strengths too, e.g. height,speed,co-ordination,understanding of boxing fundamentals. But he lacks the steer fighter style. He'd be far more comfy fighting Lennox Lewis, than Tyson Fury. But guys like say George Foreman,Tyson Fury,Mike Tyson, aggressive style fighters, Joe Fraizer too, would ruffle him. I'm surprised Derrick Chisora and Alex Leapai wouldn't do better vs him. Derrick Chisora fought Tyson Fury, he lost both, but he took it to him and ruffled him. David Haye has some aggression, I thought he would of done better vs Klitschko too. Mike Tyson in his prime would bury Klitschko I reckon, based on what I saw yesterday. As said, the height advantage, Tyson Fury had wasn't that great it was only 3 inches, when you think David Haye 6'3 fought a 7-foot fighter and won.