Tyson Fury was supposed to be another routine, mandatory defense for Wladimir Klitschko on November 28, 2015 in Dusseldorf.
After all, Klitschko was ending a decade as heavyweight world champion, and on the other side sat a juvenile British upstart known to most fans for punching himself in the face early in his career.
The fury was also quelled by players who were not fit to ride on Klitschko’s tail, and although he rose every time to win and remain undefeated, bookmakers were sure he was beyond his capabilities.
But Fury had the element of surprise, which he used to disarm Klitschko, a self-confessed control freak who memorably appeared at one press conference taunting his rival dressed as Batman.
The mind games even extended into the day of the fight, with Fury getting his way, threatening to cancel the fight because of the bulky ring cloth, which he felt was too spongy. The canvas was unfolded again.
Coupled with the explosive style of the 6-foot-9 giant frame that left most opponents stunned was the unwavering self-belief that fighting the WBA, IBF and WBO champion was the effortless job of the night.
“I think this will be one of my easiest fights,” said the self-proclaimed Gypsy King. “It may sound crazy because he is a ‘super champion’ and has been world champion for 11 years.
“But I see a lot of chinks in his armor and I intend to expose them very quickly. If I could choose any champion to fight, I would choose him. I can expose him and you will see what I mean.”
Boxing boasts are nothing fresh – check out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who claims he can topple former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua ahead of their bizarre competition next month.
Fury, however, backed up his chat from the start, using his three-inch height advantage to surprise Klitschko with a slick, measured performance that may not have been outright entertaining but was remarkably effective.
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Klitschko was at his best against shorter and stockier opponents after successfully defending his world title 23 times over two reigns, although his 11-year winning streak was maligned for his safety-first approach.
It was a brutal affair, but the best punches came from Fury, a 4/1 underdog, as he switched from an orthodox to a southern stance to confuse Klitschko, who at 39 was 12 years older than his rival.
As Fury was ready to complete his task, he put his hands behind his back and stuck his chin out several times, but a bloody and timid Klitschko seemed wary of a counterattack from his faster foe.
Fury was deducted a point for a headlock in the 11th, but he held off his opponent’s desperate advances in the championship rounds and secured a stunning victory with scores of 115-112 twice and 116-111.
“You are a great champion Vlad, thank you very much for having me,” Fury said later. “I always knew I would become heavyweight champion of the world. It’s my destiny.”
Fury then performed Aerosmith’s hit ballad “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing”, dedicating the song to his wife and fans in Ireland, the UK, the US and Germany.
The rematch was booked twice and ultimately canceled, and Fury did not fight again for three and a half years, during which he battled depression before returning and regaining his world champion status.
He retired earlier this year after two-point defeats to Klitschko’s compatriot Oleksandr Usyk.
Meanwhile, Klitschko fought just one more fight, losing a thrilling fight to Joshua at Wembley Stadium in April 2017.