New era: I’ll be the most charismatic champion since Ali: Fury

Brit ends Klitschko’s nine-year-six-month reign as world heavyweight champion

DUSSELDORF: 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.

“I always said what I would do and I delivered. I didn’t have this confidence for nothing,” beamed Fury after his unanimous points win ended Klitschko’s run of 19 consecutive defences.

Fury was awarded the fight in Dusseldorf 115-112, 115-112 and 116-111 by the judges on Saturday as Klitschko’s reign as world champion was ended after nine years, six months.

Fury takes Klitschko’s World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), International Boxing Organisation (IBO)
and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) belts as the Ukrainian suffered his first defeat since 2004.

“I knew all along I could win the fight,” said Fury. “This is the start of a new era. I’ll be the most charismatic champion since Muhammad Ali.”

This was Fury’s 25th professional victory and he will cash in on the victory, regardless of his fight purse, having bet £200,000 on himself.

“Nobody believed he could do it, only me, Peter and his brother,” said Tyson’s father John Fury. “We’ve ripped these belts off a super champion. We have changed the world. They never believed the Titanic would sink but it did.”

This was a poor display by Klitschko who finished with cuts to both cheeks while Fury was unmarked.

“I must admit that Fury was faster and better,” said Klitschko. “The speed was missing, for a big man he is incredibly agile.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th,  2015.

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