DUESSELDORF, Germany: Tyson Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschko by unanimous decision to end the Ukrainian’s 9 1/2-year reign as heavyweight champion on Saturday and take his WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles.
After a bruising encounter that ended with cuts near both of Klitschko’s eyes, referee Tony Weeks went to the judges’ scorecards. Cesar Ramos and Raul Caiz Sr.
scored it 115-112 each, while Ramon Cerdan had it 116-111 in favor of the undefeated Briton (25-0, 18 KO).
Fury, 12 years younger than the 39-year-old Klitschko, taunted and baited the champion at various stages, prompting jeers from fans at the 55,000-seat soccer stadium in Duesseldorf.
Klitschko (64-4, 53 KO), contesting his 28th title fight, was cautious until attempting a recovery in the final rounds, but suffered his first defeat since April 2004.
“The speed was missing. Reach played a big role.
I tried but it didn’t work,” said Klitschko, who at 1.98-meters (6-foot-6), was in the unusual position of facing someone taller in the 2.09-meter (6-foot-9) Fury.
Fury, who weighed in at 112 kilograms (247 pounds) also had half-kilo (1.1 pound) weight advantage.
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.
The other major belt, the WBC title, was held by Deontay Wilder of the US that was vacated in 2013 by Klitschko’s older brother Vitali, the current mayor of Kiev, Ukraine.
“I’ve said some stupid things,” an emotional Fury said of his pre-fight talk and antics.
“Wladimir, you’re a great champion and thanks for having me. It was all fun and games in the build-up.”
The build-up had seen Fury dressing as Batman, serenading Klitschko, goading him and insulting him, and even complimenting him on his scent.
Earlier Saturday, Fury threatened to call off the bout unless an issue with the canvas being too soft was resolved. There were also issues over gloves and glove-wrapping.
Vitali Klitschko oversaw Fury’s glove-wrapping, but the Fury camp was incensed when the younger Klitschko wrapped the gloves without any of them present.
That spat was resolved when he agreed to re-wrap. Fury was itching to go from the start, and he ran into the first round to put Klitschko off kilter.
The Briton also goaded Klitschko during and after the round.-nst
