Klitschko demands Fury rematch after bruising loss

“I didn’t have this confidence for nothing” beamed Fury 27 after his unanimous points win ended Klitschko’s run of 19 consecutive defences. He serenaded Klitschko with his own version of the Bette Midler song “Wind Beneath My Wings” on Wednesday, and he celebrated beating him by singing Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” in the ring to his wife Paris, who is expecting their third child.

Klitschko had been a heavy favourite to retain his WBA, WBO and IBF belts at the ESPRIT Arena on Saturday but suffered a clear loss against the British challenger.

So while Klitschko will reportedly exercise his rematch clause Fury can enjoy the fact that he is king of the hill.

Cesar Ramos and Raul Caiz Sr. scored it 115-112 each, while Ramon Cerdan had it 116-111 in favour of Fury.

The new champion was deducted a point for punching the back of Klitschko’s head in the 11th and was holding on in the final round, but he already had the titles in the bag.

Two years ago he spoke with Irish Boxing magazine of his pride in his Irish heritage.

“I’m a fighter and I will take up all challenges”.

“Like I’ve always said”.

“I knew I could come here and upset the apple cart”. However, Wilder has improved considerably since his days of working as a sparring partner for Haye, and I think he would find out that it’s a whole different kettle of fish to try and deal with Wilder now, given his huge progress as a heavyweight.

Fury, who shed 32 kilos in five months to get in shape for the fight, landed a bruising left uppercut in the ninth that wounded Klitschko’s right eye. I’m the new champion and I said I’d be the most charismatic champion since Muhammad Ali and I hope to be that.

“There were rounds in there I was playing with him, I had my hands behind my back, hands in the air and taunting him the whole way through”.

Fury’s management insisted the canvas was too soft and after much discussion and threats to call the fight off, Klitschko’s camp relented and removed some of the foam padding from the ring floor.

“I wish I could have landed more clean shots”.

Fury is contractually obliged to offer a rematch and the new champion said he would have no problem returning to Germany to face Klitschko in 2016. “This was his first big test. Now he has come through that test, you will see more of his boxing ability”, he said. “It means a lot to me as does the support I get when I fight in Belfast”.