Tyson Fury told Dillian Whyte he will win a world title - despite seeing his challenge ended in a brutal KO.
Whyte had waited almost 1,700 days for his shot at the biggest prize in boxing but was dropped and stopped in the sixth round as his challenge fell apart at Wembley. But Fury insisted his fellow Brit will bounce back and take his place at the top of the sport. "I spoke to him after the fight," Fury said. "I gave him a kiss and a cuddle and told him he will be a world champion one day. People will say Dillian Whyte is s***, please put a pair of gloves on and we'll see if they s*** themselves."
In his first fight on UK soil since August 2018, Fury was treated to a hero’s welcome by a 94,000 capacity crowd and largely dictated the tempo before ending proceedings in devastating fashion. A vicious uppercut caught Whyte flush on the chin before he was disdainfully pushed over on to his back, and while the mandatory challenger beat the count, referee Mark Lyson waved off the fight.
Whyte could have few complaints at a halt being called with just one second remaining before the fight reached the midway point as he was clearly on unsteady legs after the bout’s first significant strike. The 6ft 9in Fury (now 32-0-1, 23KOs) was able to use his considerable height and reach advantage to keep Whyte at bay while the challenger was made to look clumsy and cumbersome in contrast to his foe.
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Whyte, cut over his right eye after an accidental clash of heads, was first installed as the WBC’s number one contender nearly four years ago but he was unable to impose himself as he found himself tied up whenever he attempted to close the distance. Fury has repeatedly suggested in recent weeks that he would end his glittering career and, after treating the crowd to a rendition of Don McLean’s American Pie following his win, he said: “This might be the final curtain for the Gypsy King.”
If this is the finish then a highlight-reel punch in front of a post-war British record crowd is a satisfying climax to the career of a modern great, even if much-anticipated showdowns against WBA, IBF and WBO titlist Oleksandr Usyk or another domestic rival in Anthony Joshua go begging.
