Tyson Fury shocked the world when he dethroned long-reigning heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko, producing one of his most comprehensive performances nine years ago today.
Ahead of his first world title shot, the Brit was yet to encounter anyone on the level of Klitschko, coming off two stoppage victories over Christian Hammer and Derek Chisora.
His opponent, meanwhile, was entering his 19th heavyweight title defense, just under 10 years removed from the Ukrainian’s seventh-round finish over Chris Byrd for the IBF strap.
But moments before the pair locked horns in Duesseldorf, Germany – where Klitschko had cultivated a loyal fan-base – their clash came a whisker away from being called off.
John Fury insisted that Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tyson Fury wouldn’t take place following cheating accusations
The fight week build-up seemingly went in Tyson Fury’s favor, with the larger than life character joking around with his opponent at their open workout before, rather bizarrely, singing him a song.
If anything, Fury’s approach to his career-defining moment proved just how relaxed he truly was, perhaps even lulling Klitschko into a false sense of security with his antics.
That said, it was clear that ‘The Gypsy King’ had left no stone unturned during his training camp, weighing a career-lightest of 247 lbs.
All of his hard work, of course, was about to be rewarded, but then team Fury, knowing that they were firmly on away soil, decided to scope out the ring.
Sure enough, Tyson’s uncle and trainer at the time, Peter Fury, discovered that the canvas was loaded with an obscene amount of padding.
Without a moment’s notice, team Fury began demanding for the canvas – which would have restricted Tyson’s movement – to be changed.
And so, after a heated exchange between the two camps, with John Fury even threatening to pull his son from the contest, team Klitschko finally relented.
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Tyson Fury outpoints Wladimir Klitschko in a monumental upset
Getting the canvas changed to suit his elusive style must have felt like a mini victory for Fury who, after the opening bell, swiftly stamped his authority on the fight.
Then, by the middle rounds, it was clear that Klitschko had significantly underestimated his rival, struggling to pull the trigger on any of his typically destructive attacks.
But with Fury getting his hand raised following 12 rounds of one-sided action, it was obvious that the boxing world had just been graced by a supremely talented operator, who just so happens to be a master of psychological warfare too.