Tyson Fury enjoyed a happy homecoming as he retained his WBC heavyweight title with a sensational sixth-round stoppage of British rival Dillian Whyte at a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
In his first fight on British soil since August 2018, Fury was treated to a hero’s welcome by a 94,000 capacity crowd in London.
He thereafter largely dictated the tempo before ending proceedings in devastating fashion.
A vicious uppercut caught Whyte flush on the chin before he was disdainfully pushed over on to his back.
But while the mandatory challenger beat the count, referee Mark Lyson waved off the fight.
Whyte could have few complaints at a halt being called with just one second remaining before the fight reached the midway point.
He was clearly on unsteady legs after the bout’s first significant strike.
Fury (now 32-0-1, 23KOs) was able to use his considerable height and reach advantage to keep Whyte at bay.
The challenger was made to look clumsy and cumbersome in contrast to his foe.
Whyte, cut over his right eye after an accidental clash of heads, was first installed as the WBC’s number one contender nearly four years ago.
But he was unable to impose himself as he found himself tied up whenever he attempted to close the distance.