Tyson Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschko by unanimous decision to end the Ukrainian's 9 1/2-year reign as heavyweight champion on Sunday 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 favour 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) was cautious until attempting a recovery in the final rounds, but suffered his first defeat since April 2004.
Tyson Fury celebrates with his championship belts. Photo / Getty
"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."
It was Klitschko's 28th title fight, but the premier heavyweight of this 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's, was held by Deontay Wilder of the U.S. That was vacated in 2013 by Klitschko's older brother Vitali, who was the major of Kiev.
Former champion Evander Holyfield tweeted that Kiwi Joseph Parker could be one of the next candidates to earn a title shot.
Fury was itching to go from the start, and he ran into the first round to put Klitschko off kilter. The Briton took the liberty of goading Klitschko during and after the round.
Fury put his hands behind his back in the third round, though the defending champion improved in the next. Fury landed a big right on Klitschko in the fifth, when he opened a small cut under his right eye, and taunted him again.
The Briton's intensity seemed to drop as Klitschko improved, but still he needled him in the seventh, when he urged Klitschko to "come on" and baited him again with his hands behind his back, prompting more jeers.
Klitschko replied to an uppercut in the ninth with a big right of his own, before Fury was warned for punching the back of his head. But then he had Klitschko in trouble in the corner.
Klitschko needed a response, and sought it in the 10th, by which time there was blood coming from his left eye, too.
Fury had a point deducted for hitting behind the head in the 11th and both fighters gave their all in a furious final round before raising their arms in celebration. The Fury camp's celebrations seemed more sincere.
After the win, Fury serenaded his wife, singing Aerosmith's song I Don't Want to Miss a Thing.
