Tyson Fury has said that he proved his doubters wrong by defeating Wladimir Klitschko to become world heavyweight champion.
The 27-year-old overcame the Ukrainian on an unanimous points decision in Dusseldorf to clinch the WBA Super, WBO and IBF world heavyweight titles, ending Klitschko's nine-year run as champion.
Despite his pre-match trash-talk against the 39-year-old, Fury was respectful of his opponent following his victory and his accomplishments as world champion.
Fury told reporters: "If I could be half as good a champion as Wladimir Klitschko I would be very, very happy.
"He put up a really good fight. I found him quite awkward to land clean on, as he did me. He landed some great punches but it just wasn't his night.
"The ones who believed were very few. The ones who disbelieved were very large. We've been on a 27-year mission. Every left and right turn I've taken has led to this moment and I wasn't going to let it slip."
Klitschko has confirmed that he will use the option of a rematch next year.
