By Victor Kanayo
Tyson Fury has again defeated his old British rival Derek Chisora to defend his WBC world heavyweight title.
The Gypsy King, back in the ring after reversing his decision to retire in April, claimed a dominant win after the referee stopped the fight in the 10th round.
Chisora had battled hard but was outclassed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Fury was involved in extraordinary scenes after the fight as he was embroiled in a fierce war of words with Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce.
For Chisora, it was the 13th loss of his 46-fight career and his fourth in the last five.
Earlier this week, the pair shook hands and promised to stand toe-to-toe in the opening three minutes with Chisora promising “the best first round the heavyweight game has ever seen”.
And, in front of an incredible atmosphere – despite the cold conditions at an outdoor December night event in London – the two fighters tried to provide the entertainment they had promised.
But the fight did prove a mismatch as Fury was a level above his opponent and can now look forward to a potential undisputed heavyweight showdown with Ukrainian Usyk in 2023.
Fury, back in action after saying he would retire from boxing in April, has targeted at least three fights in 2023. In chaotic scenes afterwards, he challenged two rivals – Usyk and unbeaten Briton Joe Joyce – at the same time.
Fury had beaten Chisora in a wide points victory in 2011 when they fought for the British and Commonwealth titles and again three years later when Chisora was retired by his corner at the end of the 10th round in a contest for the British and European belts.
There were hopes Chisora could produce a career-defining performance and defy the bookmakers, who had dismissed him as a 14-1 outsider.
However, by the second round it became clear this fight was going to go the way of their first two meetings.
Chisora, as he has done throughout his 15-year career, gave it everything but was simply outclassed by Fury, whose shot selection, power and ability helped him pick off the rounds with relative ease.