Fury earns decision to end Klitschko's 9-year championship reign

In a fight that was short on thrills, Tyson Fury did enough to take a unanimous decision from a listless Wladimir Klitschko 115-112, 115-112, 116-111, to relieve the champion of his WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO world heavyweight titles.

Klitschko had been nearly untouchable during his nine-year run at the top of the division, and Fury was expected to be just another mandatory challenger to be knocked down. Instead, the 6-foot-9 Englishman used his movement and range to score from unorthodox angles, effectively battled Klitschko in the clinch, and even peppered in some mind games to frustrate his opponent.

At no point was Klitschko in any serious danger, but he lacked urgency, even as his corner implored him to go for a knockout in the later rounds.

The clinch, normally a safety valve for Klitschko, provided little relief. Fury simply dipped his head like a bull, and pushed Klitschko back until the referee could intervene. The challenger also utilized body shots far more often, something Klitschko was reluctant to do.

Still undefeated in his career, Fury becomes the first British-born fighter to hold the majority of the heavyweight world boxing titles since Lennox Lewis (David Haye captured the WBA title in 2011).

Immediately after the fight, Klitschko mused about looking forward to meeting Fury again, according to Reuters' Karolos Grohmann.

"There will be a rematch," Klitschko said. "It is still early, and I have to process things, but there will definitely be a rematch."