A brutal uppercut from Tyson Fury underlined his status as the world’s No 1 heavyweight and turned Dillian Whyte’s title ambitions to dust as he triumphed in glorious style in front of more than 90,000 fans under the Wembley arch.
The “Gypsy King” retained his World Boxing Council crown a minute into the sixth round in an atmosphere celebrating his homecoming after four years fighting abroad, as he made it 33 fights unbeaten in an utterly dominant performance.
The punch that ended it was a right uppercut – off the jab – that glanced off Whyte’s chin, scrambling the challenger’s senses. Whyte regained his feet but the referee Mark Lyson called it off with the battler from Brixton unable to continue.
It was the right call and thoughts immediately turned to Fury's future, with the 33-year-old again suggesting this could have been his last fight.
“I promised my lovely wife Paris that after the [Deontay] Wilder third fight that would be it, and I meant it,” he said in the ring. “We had a war, it was a great trilogy and I meant it. But I got offered to fight at Wembley at home and I believed I deserved, I owed it to the fans and every person in the United Kingdom to come here and fight at Wembley.
“Now it’s all done I have to be a man of my word and I think this is it, this might be the final curtain for the Gypsy King. And what a way to go out – a big thank you to the United Kingdom!”
Tyson Fury sent Dillian Whyte to the canvas with a beautifully timed shot - AFP
If this was to be the end then it was a hell of a punch to go out on, but this was a fight that demonstrated that Fury has that most important of boxing qualities – fighting IQ – in spades, as he was in a class of his own against his challenger.
A huge roar had gone around the stadium as Fury’s arrival was displayed on the big screen, two and a half hours before his ring walk, and when Fury did soak it all up on the way to the battleground in the centre of the stadium, he was accompanied by the music of Don McLean’s American Pie and the theatre of a tunnel of knights of St George. Whyte, as ever, came in to AC/DC’s Back In Black.
Into the ring, and into the battle they went. Whyte needed to get into the fight with alacrity, and he started fast and furious. Silent in the build-up until the past four days, the bruising heavyweight was intent on doing his talking in the ring.
Surprisingly, he took the southpaw stance in the opening round to take away Fury’s jab, but it was the champion who took the round with a few jabs landed and two right hands as they danced.
Tyson Fury controlled the early stages of the fight - GETTY IMAGES
Whyte was back to orthodox in the second, and Fury turned southpaw for the first exchanges, landing a good left to put Whyte off balance.
The real battle began in the third, as Whyte managed to get closer, landing to the body, and attempting to get his hooks away, as Fury worked off the jab.
In the fourth, Fury remonstrated with Whyte after the heads clashed, the referee Lyson warning Whyte. It was Whyte’s right eye that was cut and beginning to swell, but as the two came together, Whyte landed his famed left hook for the first time. The referee warned Fury about using his head. It was a disjointed, bad-tempered round.
Out they came for the fifth stanza, trading body shots, as Fury commanded the range again with his jab. They goaded each other, Whyte’s arcing left hook flying through the air and throwing the Brixton man off balance. That was a particularly strong round for Fury, boxing in a tight circle.
Round six, however, truly showed why Fury is the world No 1, smothering Whyte’s work with his size and movement, beating the challenger to the punch, and then tying Whyte up until a huge right uppercut knocked him onto his back. Game over. Job done.
— #FuryWhyte | Saturday | BT Sport Box Office 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) April 23, 2022
Fury, weighing 350lb five years ago, having spent two years feeling depressed and suicidal, has conquered so many things in his life already. Not least his inner demons. But what a journey to the top again.
What he does next is the subject of much conjecture, but in two reigns as heavyweight world champion he has never been beaten. On a raucous night at Wembley Stadium in front of 94,000 spectators – and after having waited over three years for his title shot – the 34-year-old Whyte, born in Jamaica, but now firmly “The Body Snatcher” from Brixton, gave his all in what might have been a legacy-making fight for him.
It was not to be on a night when few men would have been able to live with Fury.
The fight, for which Fury earned £25 million, and Whyte £6 million, will rank as one of the big occasions in boxing, and a night on which, once again, Fury was proclaimed king of the division. On a stirring occasion, Whyte gave his all, but Fury was just too good.
Having stated that this may be his last fight, and having dwarfed the heavyweight division in this era – the champion may never be seen in a ring again.
Tyson Fury adamant in his press conference that he will step away from boxing. 'That's it. I'm going to be only the second heavyweight, after Rocky Marciano, to retire undefeated.'
Yet there is the suspicion that Fury may be tempted back again for an undisputed heavyweight title challenge against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua for the undisputed crown -with the Ukrainian set to defend the IBF, WBA and WBO world title belts in a rematch after Usyk won by points over Joshua in London last September.
Although Fury won those three belts in 2015 in Germany against Wladimir Klitschko, a battle with the winner of Usyk versus Joshua would rubber-stamp the boxer’s dominance of the era, though Fury has told Telegraph Sport that he had promised his family and his wife Paris – with whom he has six children – that with career earnings of an estimated £120 million “there is nothing left to prove and that money means nothing”.
Tyson Fury said he had promised his wife Paris he will retire - ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
“You can’t go on for too long in this game,” the Gypsy King had said to me. “Because father time catches up with you at some point.
“Every dog has his day, whether you’re the greatest or not. Age catches up very quickly so you’ve got to move over for the younger guys. Yet the sport has a habit of drawing its players back for one more fight.”
Now we wait to see whether this was Fury’s last ever punch. If it was then it was one to remember.
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte - as it happened
10:13 PM
Gareth A Davies' big fight report
Will be at the top of this blog shortly.
Does retirement really beckon for Tyson Fury?
Surely a crack at the undisputed heavyweight crown against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua is enough to tempt him back for one more fight?
We shall see. Thanks for reading.
10:05 PM
All smiles
Tyson Fury celebrates his win alongside his trainer SugarHill Steward - GETTY IMAGES
09:57 PM
'Fury is at the top of the game'
Big praise from Lennox Lewis for Tyson Fury:
"He's the best heavyweight in the world at the moment - there's nothing stopping him.
"I would understand it [if he would retire] but it would be a shame. I think he's going to be back in the ring."
— #FuryWhyte | Saturday | BT Sport Box Office 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) April 23, 2022
09:46 PM
Tyson Fury hints at retirement - again
"I think this is it - this could be the final curtain for the Gypsy King."
More on this in due course I'm sure, but Fury has said this before...
09:43 PM
Reaction from Tyson Fury
Dillian Whyte is a warrior and I believe he will be a world champion but tonight he met a great in the sport - I'm one of the greatest of all time.
But you're messing with the best man on the planet and tonight you saw that with what happened.
09:38 PM
FURY WINS BY TKO!
Wow! A huge right uppercut sends Whyte to the canvas and he can't recover!
That shot came from nowhere and landed bang on the button - there was no way Whyte was going to recover.
He got back to his feet before the 10 count but then nearly fell over and the ref waved it off!!
09:33 PM
Round five - Fury
Another strong start to this round from Fury, who lands a couple of crisp body shots followed up by a right hand to the head.
Whyte just too one-paced so far and unable to put Fury under any sustained pressure.
Very much as Fury would have dreamt this at the moment. He pumps out four or five jabs in a row and follows up with a blistering body shot. Easy pickings to this point for the Gypsy King.
Fury 50-45 Whyte
Tyson Fury has dominated the early stages against an overly passive Dillian Whyte - ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
09:28 PM
Round four - Fury
Fury lands a cracking right hand to start the round, before both fighters get a ticking off for failing to break from the clinch when ordered by the referee.
But then the same pattern repeats itself - Fury controlling the distance from the outside and Whyte struggling to cut the gap.
The Gypsy King lands a slashing body shot which backs up Whyte. Then there are some more rough-house tactics in the clinch which lead to both men getting another talking to from the referee.
Fury 40-36 Whyte
09:23 PM
Round three - Fury
Fury continuing to control the pace and Whyte is struggling to get close enough to land anything of note.
Another firm jab from the Gypsy King backs up the challenger, and he then ties up Whyte on the inside and leans on his opponent.
Fury digs in a left hook to the body and has a little smirk on his face as another couple of flailing shots from Whyte miss their mark.
Another round in the bank to the champ.
Fury 30-27 Whyte
09:20 PM
Round two - Fury
A couple of wild shots from Whyte miss their mark and he already looks a little frustrated at his inability to land anything clean on Fury.
The champion lands a crisp left and that was probably the shot of another fairly quiet round, which is enough to sneak it for him.
Fury 20-18 Whyte
09:15 PM
Round one - Fury
Whyte claims centre ring straight away and, surprisingly, is boxing out of a southpaw stance.
Fury circling and trying to get his jabs off from the outside, with nothing of note landed in the first 90 seconds or so.
Fury lands a solid jab, with Whyte struggling to cut the distance down. A clubbing right from Fury also hits its mark - and he follows with another straight right.
Fury 10-9 Whyte
Tyson Fury made a confident start - ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
09:12 PM
The wait is over
The pre-fight pleasantries have dragged on - as they tend to - but it's just about time for this massive heavyweight title fight to get started.
Both fighters are ready to go, they've had their instructions from the referee... here we go.
09:02 PM
And here comes Tyson Fury (eventually)
A mass singalong of American Pie precedes the WBC heavyweight champion's arrival - and his ring walk only begins in earnest after a bizarre intro video urging fans to "all rise for the Gypsy King".
08:55 PM
The ring walks are under way
After leaving us waiting for a couple of minutes to ratchet up the tension, Dillian Whyte is on his way to the ring soundtracked by Back in Black by AC/DC.
08:51 PM
Here we go!
Jimmy Lennon Jnr is introducing the fighters. Dillian Whyte will be first into the ring.
08:47 PM
'The biggest British heavyweight fight for 30 years'
Ekow Essuman retains his belts via unanimous decision!
117-111, 116-112, 116-112 - the right result I'd say.
Fury vs Whyte up next.
08:41 PM
We're off to the judges' scorecards
Essuman finished the stronger and you'd think he will just edge this to retain his belts... we'll find out shortly.
08:37 PM
A lightning start to the 11th round
From Essuman, with Tetley starting to look a little weary. The champion lands a couple of flurries against his static opponent who has noticeably slowed down.
Just one round to go. Essuman a couple of rounds ahead on my card but the judges might have seen it differently...
08:25 PM
Eight rounds down
Four to go. Essuman probably just about edging it and has been the busier of the two fighters in the last couple of rounds.
Essuman's nickname is 'The Engine' due to his non-stop workrate and we know he can keep throwing shots for 36 minutes.
Can Tetley re-establish his jab and stay in touch through the championship rounds?
08:14 PM
Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte
Are gearing up for their blockbuster clash.
A reminder: the main event is next up after the current bout between Ekow Essuman and Darren Tetley.
We've had five rounds of their scheduled 12-round contest so far.
The final preparations are being made in the locker rooms! 👀
— #FuryWhyte | Saturday | BT Sport Box Office 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) April 23, 2022
08:06 PM
Three rounds down
Tetley beginning to land with a bit more regularity and Essuman struggling to close the distance against the bigger man.
An intriguing contest so far, with the classic choice between quality of shots vs quantity defining who you favour.
Richie Woodhall says on BT he has it even after three rounds and that's probably fair enough.
07:59 PM
Lively start from the champion
Essuman is quick on his feet, darting in and out of range and landing single shots as he circles his opponent.
Tetley looking to dominate centre ring and work around his jab - very much a battle of two contrasting styles.
07:49 PM
One more fight before the main event
Ekow Essuman defends his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Darren Tetley next.
07:40 PM
Isaac Lowe's cut
Lowe battled on gamely despite sustaining serious damage - ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
07:39 PM
Nick Ball wins by sixth round TKO!
He landed another explosive left hand which left Lowe in serious trouble in the corner and the ref waved the fight off just as the towel was thrown in by Lowe's team.
An impressive performance from Ball and a huge show of heart from Lowe who fought on despite that awful cut over his left eye.
07:28 PM
Isaac Lowe is badly cut
They are trying to patch the damage above his left eye up in between rounds but blood is gushing from the wound.
This is where the cutman earns his money... but he's got a serious job to do.
You'd imagine the doctor will want a look at this.
07:19 PM
Isaac Lowe vs Nick Ball is under way
The featherweight contest is into the second round - and Ball has wobbled Lowe with a crunching left hook.
Then just as Lowe had regained his senses he was sent to the canvas with a vicious straight left!!
Lowe in all sorts of trouble!! He just about makes it to the bell.
Isaac Lowe was sent to the canvas in the second round - ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
07:01 PM
David Adeleye wins by fourth-round TKO!
A slashing left softened Chris Healey up and he stumbled across the ring, with the ref waving it off after Adeleye landed another big shot.
Adeleye moves to 9-0 with eight KOs and has impressed Lennox Lewis who says "there is a big future for this guy".
06:55 PM
Decent start from David Adeleye
Who has won the first two rounds comfortably against Chris Healey, but is getting a stern talking to in his corner for being too eager in his hunt for a KO.
06:45 PM
The remaining undercard bouts
David Adeleye vs Chris Healey (heavyweight) Isaac Lowe vs Nick Ball (featherweight) Ekow Essuman vs Darren Tetley (welterweight)
06:38 PM
Tommy Fury wins on points 60-54
He wasn't able to get Bocianski out of there in the final stanza but Fury won all six rounds on the referee's card and that was a decent return after nearly eight months out of the ring.
06:33 PM
Bocianski down in the fifth
Fury connects with a cracking straight right which catches the Pole flush on the chin and sends him to the canvas.
But to Bocianski's credit he bounces straight back up and manages to survive the round.
Tommy Fury has dominated the bout with Daniel Bocianski - PA
06:28 PM
Four rounds in
And Tommy Fury has won all four of them in routine fashion.
Bocianski is marked up around both eyes and starting to look a bit weary - can Fury force a stoppage?
06:25 PM
A ripple of applause
Around Wembley when Tyson Fury's arrival at the stadium is show on the big screen.
— #FuryWhyte | Saturday | BT Sport Box Office 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) April 23, 2022
06:20 PM
Another solid round for Tommy Fury
Who caught Bocianski with a crunching overhand right which wobbled the Pole.
He managed to steady his legs and Fury remained patient, working behind his jab and catching Bocianski with a couple of flurries for good measure.
06:16 PM
Decent opening round from Tommy Fury
Who worked nicely behind his jab against a fairly static opponent.
In between rounds, Big John Fury shouts a few instructions from ringside.
06:12 PM
Next up on the undercard
It's former Love Island contestant - and Tyson Fury's half-brother - Tommy Fury.
The undefeated younger Fury (7-0 with 4 KOs) faces Daniel Bocianski in a six-round light-heavyweight bout.
06:07 PM
'Fury vs Whyte can't be anything other than a cracking fight'
That's the view of former world super-bantamweight champion Carl Frampton who says the main event "has got all the ingredients... it's set up to be one of the fights of the year".
05:56 PM
Good evening
Welcome to our live coverage of the all-British blockbuster clash between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte for the WBC heavyweight title.
We will have live updates from the undercard bouts as well as all the build-up to the main event, which is due to get under way between 10pm and 11pm.
Fury has promised a "war" when he defends his belt against Whyte at Wembley Stadium tonight despite some light-hearted exchanges between the pair on the eve of their showdown.
While the duo have been critical towards each other on social media for years, fight week has been remarkably cordial and restrained, and the bonhomie continued at Friday's weigh-in.
After Fury scaled 18st 12lbs and 13oz - 12lbs lighter than when he defeated Deontay Wilder in their epic trilogy contest six months ago - he and Whyte were in playful spirits at the final stare down.
The 6ft 9in Fury emphasised his five-inch height advantage by standing on his tip-toes while Whyte, who came in at 18st 1lb and 4oz, played along by crouching down before they shook hands and traded caps.
"I'm so happy to be back here (in the UK) fighting at Wembley Stadium," said Fury, who was afforded a hero's welcome on his entrance although Londoner Whyte was initially booed on to the stage.
"Respect to Dillian Whyte and his team, proper professional men, and we're going to give you a real fight. Don't doubt us, we're going to put a show on like no other before. It's going to be a war, don't worry about that."
Fury - who has suggested on more than one occasion in the build-up that he will retire after the bout, irrespective of the outcome - is fighting on UK soil for the first time since August 2018.
The 33-year-old (31-0-1, 22KOs) has had five successive bouts in the United States since then, including three against Wilder, winning twice and drawing once, to become world champion again.
In his last two bouts against Wilder, Fury weighed well in excess of 19st as he showcased his power, particularly last October when he stopped the American in the 11th round. But by coming in almost a stone lighter 24 hours before facing Whyte in front of an estimated 94,000 crowd - a post-war British record - Fury might look to outbox rather than overpower the challenger.
Whyte was first installed as the WBC's number one contender four years ago but has kept improving since then, refusing to rest on his laurels and take on opponents against whom he would be heavily favoured.
Instead he has seen off the likes of dangerous Joseph Parker and Oscar Rivas in recent years before avenging his defeat to Alexander Povetkin by stopping the Russian in his last bout 13 months ago.
