Tyson Fury's hotly anticipated heavyweight clash against Deontay Wilder easily surpassed the expectations of many analysts and fans alike, who cast doubt on the British boxer's ability to hang with Wilder's punching power.
Fury had only recently made his comeback from three years out of the ring, during which time his weight ballooned. He has openly admitted that he abused alcohol during that time, and has been forthcoming over his battle with his mental health in the months since his return to the ring.
Fury was, in the opinion of most, robbed in the titanic clash at Staples Center, despite climbing off the canvas twice. The 30-year-old Manchester-born fighter displayed his ring craft and lighting-fast reflexes throughout that fight, defying the predictions of many that he would lack sharpness after so long out of the ring.
Now, the news fight fans everywhere have been waiting for seems to have finally been confirmed, after Tyson Fury announced that he'd signed to fight the undefeated American on February 22nd to an excited crowd.
The announcement came during a speaking event, where Fury stated;
"This time, this time, this time… I haven’t been out of the ring for three years.
"This time I haven’t been abusing too much alcohol.
This time I can knock him the f*ck out."
Fury announced himself to Las Vegas earlier this year in emphatic style, with a second round stoppage of previously undefeated German boxer Tom Schwarz. In the bout, Fury looked incredibly fit and sharp, displayed some of his trademark rope-a-dope tactics and then floored his opponent with a crisp straight right hand.
