Tyson Fury ends Klitschko’s nine-year reign as heavyweight champion

“This was the icing on the cake, so the Fury family can have a great Christmas and celebration”.

After 18 consecutive title defenses, Klitschko lost for the first time since 2004 despite being heavily favored.

Fury, 27, taunted and baited the 39-year-old Klitschko at various stages, prompting jeers from fans at the 55,000-seat soccer stadium in Duesseldorf.

“So, to be continued”.

Klitschko’s team were quick to point out that they would be exercising their right to a re-match – but no dates or locations have been mentioned.

“I was bigger, stronger, fitter and faster”, Fury said, and he was right on all counts. It takes you to another level and I don’t think he is going to fancy it, I really don’t. “But there was very little Fury in that fight, Klitschko simply slid to defeat”, said the Guardian’s Tom Lutz.

“I don’t think we’ve seen 65 percent of what I can do, to me that was a bad performance”, he told Sky Sports News.

Fury had been entertaining them all week.

The new champion celebrated his victory by singing Aerosmith’s “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” in the ring which he dedicated to his wife Paris. The next will likely be more of the same, with a lucrative payout for the participants.

Düsseldorf Germany:Britain’s Tyson Fury has vowed to be “the most charismatic champion since Muhammad Ali” after delivering on his promise to dethrone Wladimir Klitschko and become the new world heavyweight champion. Only he can answer this question. Fury improved to 25-0.

“I congratulate Tyson. He won the fight”.

Ex-WBA champion David Haye, who is coming out of retirement in January against Mark de Mori, knows Fury must be careful but believes he is good for the sport. So I could do it all again. Why would I be bothered about a novice like Wilder? Nobody comes to Germany and plays with the heavyweight champion like that. “It’s not come easy. I wasn’t given anything for free”, Fury said.

In a fight where Klitschko was expected to control the bout and grind down his opponent, Fury reversed the tables by fighting smart, using unorthodox moves. Fury ends Klitschko’s long reign of nine years and six months, the second longest after Joe Louis who held the heavyweight title for 11 years and eight months.

“Can you not count?” I vacated the British and Commonwealth titles, which some people say are more prestigious than the Irish title, but not to me.

Fury once dressed as Batman and engaged in a wrestle with a man dressed as The Joker for a press conference stunt.

“We’ll soon work out when and where the rematch will take place and let you know”, he added.

But Fury was keen to pay tribute to Klitschko, before verbally punching Wilder again.