Tyson Fury retains World Heavyweight Title against brave Chisora

Tyson Fury retained his WBC World Heavyweight Title after a dominant display against an incredibly brave Dereck Chisora.

Fury defeated Chisora when the referee rescued the challenger from further punishment in Round 10 at Tottenham Hotspur Football Stadium in London.

It was an all-action contest but became increasingly uncomfortable to watch in the later rounds, such was the Morecambe world heavyweight champion's dominance as he pummelled Chisora with hard punches throughout.

The challenger, who Fury had beaten in 2011 and 2014, put in an unbelievable effort of guts and bravery despite being battered for most of the fight, in front of a 60,000 crowd.

Chisora started well, backing the much taller Fury to the ropes and landing body punches, but the champion soon got into his stride and won Round 1 with some well-placed and vicious hooks.

In Round 2 Chisora had success with a looping right hand but Fury closed the round very strongly, hurting the challenger with uppercuts and backing him to the ropes with a flurry of hard shots.

There was more huge punishment for the brave Del Boy in Round 3 as the towering Morecambe man landed hurtful shots at will.

Round 4 was quieter but the champion remained firmly in control behind his long jab, nullifying Chisora's weary attacks and landing chopping rights and short lefts.

Both men switched to southpaw in Round 5 but it was more of the same as Fury controlled the action as twice 'War' Chisora looked on unsteady legs.

In Round 6 Fury landed more flush right hands but somehow his courageous challenger stayed upright and continued to plough forward.

The seventh was more of a mauling round as Fury leaned his 19 stone 2lbs on Chisora but Dereck, mouth gaping and right eye closing, showed heart as he worked as best he could. But Fury ended the round firmly on top as observers wondered how much more the game Londoner could take.

The eighth round saw the champion on his toes, measuring and landing big punches over and over again. Somehow, while bleeding from the mouth, Chisora stayed upright and tried to fight back.

At the end of Round 9, it looked all over for Chisora as he sagged and staggered from a big Fury attack. But somehow he dragged himself out for another round.

But in the 10th, the referee showed compassion by waving the fight off after Chisora, still on his feet, took more clean rights to the head.

The two men then showed great respect to each other, embracing after the brutal battle, and Fury had nothing but praise for his opponent.

Ther 6ft 9in champion had earlier entered the ring to the football anthem 'Three Lions' and then 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers.

For the first time in his world championship career the Manchester-born fighter, who has lived in our local area for more than a decade, was announced as being from Morecambe.

His son Prince, who was watching his dad fight from ringside for the first time, carried his WBC championship belt into the arena.

Afterwards, father-of-six Tyson was also joined in the ring by his wife Paris and daughter Venezuela.

Fury remains undefeated in his professional career of 35 fights. 

He is now expected to face WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Uysk for the undisputed heavyweight crown in 2023.

The two men had a face-off at ringside after the match, the Ukrainian champion Usyk remaining silent and grinning as Fury goaded him.

Tyson has also revealed that he needs elbow surgery which may delay the Usyk bout.

"I've got to do some stuff, I've got some hand problems and I've got to maybe have some surgery on my elbow, but after that, I'm ready for anybody," he told ESPN after the fight with Chisora.

"I've got some elbow problems, on the right one. I had the left one done in October after the (Deontay) Wilder 3 fight, so I've got to have it done. It'll take about six-to-eight weeks to heal.

"We'll see when we'll be ready for this fight, we'll see when it can be made.

"I think I can beat anybody. There's no stopping me. I'm on a roll. I'm 34 now, I've just got a good 10 rounds in. Whoever's next, will get knocked out as well."