Tyson Fury beats Wladimir Klitschko: Twitter left gobsmacked as new heavyweight champion is crowned

Fury stunned the world when he defeated Klitschko by unanimous decision in Dusseldorf to win the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles

Tyson Fury celebrates his victory over Wladimir Klitschko (Getty Images)

Tyson Fury stunned the world when he delivered on his promise and defeated Vladimir Klitschko by unanimous decision in Dusseldorf to become the new heavyweight champion of the world.

In a messy and at times disjointed affair, Klitschko’s size advantage appeared to give him the edge over a champion that had not tasted defeat in over 10 years. He quickly asserted himself, even showboating as early as the third round, but Klitschko simply didn’t throw enough punches to give himself a chance.

However, the hometown effect was always in the back of everyone’s mind, particularly in Fury’s corner as they instructed their boxer to take the decision out of the judges hands with a knockout.

Fury couldn’t, and when referee Tony Weeks deducted a point off the British contender, things looked to be going pear-shaped. But in the final six minutes, the two cut loose and a furious fight broke out with punches being thrown relentlessly.

Fury looked to be waning in the final round, but with the final bell came the unanimous decision and jubilation in the Fury camp.

Regularly overused but never more appropriate, Twitter exploded, with users gripped in sheer disbelief, joy and shock at the crowning of a new world champion.

No sooner has Fury’s arms been thrown into the air in celebration that the immediate debate over who he would fight in his first defence started. Of course, a rematch with Klitschko would have to be on the cards, given the Ukrainian’s incredible reign at the top of the sport for so long.

However, two names that were immediately on the tip of fans’ tongues were David Haye and Anthony Joshua. Haye, a previous world champion himself, lost to Klitschko in Germany, but has this week announced his return to the ring in January and could be in line for a domestic dust-up with Fury in 2016.

Joshua meanwhile is yet to step up onto the world stage, and he will have his eyes firmly on his next opponent in Dillian White on Saturday 12 December. There were many though who felt immediately that given the slow 10 rounds that preceded the late fireworks, Joshua would be able to impose his incredible power on either Fury or Klitschko. Only time will tell.