By: Mikko Salo: During the weeks leading up to his Championship challenge against long-time Heavyweight King Wladimir Klitschko, then-TBRB #2 contender Tyson Fury presented himself with unwavering confidence. Then again, so had several other Klitschko challengers, all of whom the Ukrainian legend had handled with ease during his six-year reign as the Lineal Heavyweight Champion. Most of us watched Fury`s antics assuming that Klitschko would quiet him on fight night. Instead, we got the biggest upset in a heavyweight Championship fight since Lewis vs Rahman I in 2001.
Tyson Fury is a very capable boxer, but basically nobody outside Fury`s immediate family gave him a chance against Wladimir Klitschko. What transpired on November 28th in Düsseldorf, was probably a combination of several simultaneous developments that produced an awful fight, but a new Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world. Here are three quick thoughts about factors that made the Upset of the Year.
Number one: Tyson Fury was surprisingly fast enough to befuddle Klitschko with his outside fighting. He didn`t slug it out or go after Klitschko. He used his size and reach in a way Wladimir Klitschko had never seen his opponent do. Fury was nimble enough to bob, weave and clown around the ring throwing an occasional potshot at the confused Champion. Maybe Klitschko was prepared for Fury`s tactics, but he wasn`t prepared for the way Fury was able to execute the game plan.
Number two: Wladimir Klitschko either had a total off night or he just had gotten old in 2015. The 39-year-old Champion couldn`t generate any offense against Fury, who didn`t do much of it himself, but enough to pocket the decision. Time and time again, Klitschko`s missiles were left at the launching pad, nothing happening at the other end. According to CompuBox The Champion connected on a pitiful 18(1) power shots all night!!
Number three: Tyson Fury didn`t have to change anything during the fight because Klitschko didn`t adapt to his awkward style at all. In the rematch Klitschko will most likely let his hands go and take some risks. If he doesn`t, it is going to be the same old story.
A bunch of questions still are asked about the new outrageous Heavyweight Champion`s abilities. Is he just a temporary holder of the Throne or is he able to establish a formidable Championship reign? Is he really such a good boxer that even an aging Wladimir Klitschko can`t find a way to overcome his awkward style and size advantage in the rematch? Does his chin hold up if Klitschko`s right truly connects with it? Will he be able to accurately counter punch if Klitschko decides to attempt overrunning the lanky Champion with sheer strength and power?
Even if the first encounter between these men was painful to watch in its gross inactiveness, the rematch is definitely one of the most followed fights of 2016. It will also tell us if the 2015 Upset of the Year was a flash in the pan or are we (gulp) entering the Tyson Fury Era of Heavyweight boxing.
