Tyson Fury beats Wladimir Klitschko to become world champion

For over a decade the division was ruled by Wladimir and older brother Vitali Klitschko.

With his victory, the 27-year-old Fury improves his record to 25-0 with 18 KOs.

Klitschko, the premier heavyweight of his era, relinquished the IBF belt he had held since 2006, the WBO title he’d owned since 2008, and the WBA crown he’d had since 2011.

New world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury insists he underperformed in his victory over Wladimir Klitschko and expects a prospective rematch to be an easier fight.

A home fight in Manchester next spring would be huge, no matter who Fury’s challenger is; but already people are wondering if David Haye – who twice pulled out of a fight with Fury due to injury – will finally face the giant he has such bad blood with.

Klitschko was lethargic from the first round with Fury landing infrequently but the Briton easily kept the multiple Ukrainian champions at bay.

Born three months early and weighing just one pound (.45 kg), Fury wasn’t given much chance to live, but John Fury told doctors it was his destiny to live and become heavyweight champion of the world. I didn’t believe he would make it but I lacked in speed today. I enjoyed it here and I got a great reception from the German fans.

The fight was seen as a mismatch when it was on a skill level between the two, but Fury made up for it in his pre-fight antics ranging from dressing up as Batman in a press conference to calling Klitschko a devil worshipper.

“I lost the battle but the fighter is still in me”, said Klitschko, 39.

“He will dominate it for as long he wants, but I don’t think he is going to want to box for another 20 years”.

After the bout he launched into a stirring (precisely what it stirred we’re not quite sure) rendition of Aerosmith’s I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing. I feel good, not too sore, a little bit around the eyes and pain inside of my head, but not too bad to be honest after a 12-round fight with the so-called best fighter on the planet. “I knew I could come here and upset the apple cart”, he said.

“It’s my life and it’s what I am and even if I had £10m, I could still sleep in a caravan”.

A fight with American heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder (left) would be highly-anticipated event and could have the potential to do great things for professional boxing.

“I congratulate Tyson. He won the fight”.