Furious light shines upon Heavyweight Hill

THERE was no knockdown as the world heavyweight boxing crown changed hands in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Sunday. What fell with a bang was the crown of aging Vladimir Klitchsko, who reigned for a decade when he also came to be known as the sleep-walking king of Heavyweight Hill.

The defeat, at the hands of little-known Englishman Tyson Fury, was totally unexpected and it resonated with high hopes of new life in the world boxing heavyweight division.

Fury, 27, was quicker with a triumphant mantra than he had been with his fists.

“I am bringing back fun into the life of boxing,” Fury told British media, once he was through with celebrating and singing off-pitch on top of the ring.

* * *

Named after heavyweight terror Mike Tyson, the 27-year-old Fury did it via unanimous decision against the big, rangy but lumbering Ukranian former world titlist.

There was a unanimous suggestion the upset victory, ranked among the most awesome in heavyweight boxing history, ended stupor that had been the tiresome theme of the Klitchsko rule.

The scores—two 115-112 and 116-111—did not define the exact tempo and temper of the bout.

* * *

There was no explosion in the Iron Mike Tyson mold, but Fury prevailed by staying on top through better focus, ring control, better punching.

While Fury continued to score with sneak blows, Klitchsko repeatedly missed, clawed and groped, desperately trying to land his tight and tentative big punch.

In the end, it became evident that Fury’s height and reach advantage provided the main win-win difference.

* * *

Fury, the unbeaten (25-0) mandatory challenger, stands 6-foot-9, two inches taller than Klitchsko.

Klitchsko, 39, was quick to admit defeat, explaining he just could not find Fury, who was able to bloody his opponent’s famously dignified profile, while shaking him with a dangerous uppercut in a closing round, the most colorful point when Fury was slapped a point deduction for hitting the back of the head.

* * *

The fight was admired for its significance, more than for its contribution to the sweet science.

In fact, Fury, not totally pleased with his performance, vowed to do a lot better in a projected rematch. He said he was only something like 60 or 65 percent on Sunday. He refused to elaborate, failing to clarify if he had been terribly flamboyant and overcautious.

Meanwhile, the once-revered Heavyweight Hill now merits a second look, what with the promise of a momentary break from somnanbolist moments, which had defined and demeaned the division during the Klitchsko reign.