Fury remained undefeated in 33 games after catching up with White
WBC champion Tyson Fury made a stunning one-stop stop in the sixth round to beat Britain’s Dillian White and then insisted he retire.
Fury dominated a weak duel and then unleashed the vicious right uppercut.
White, admirably, got to his feet during the countdown before crashing into the referee when the fight was stopped.
“This may be the last curtain for Gypsy King,” Fury said after the battle.
He later added: “I spent a lot of time on the road. I was away for a long time. I did everything I ever wanted to do.
“I will retire only as the second heavyweight in history, after Rocky Marciano, who retired undefeated. I was undefeated in this match.”
Fury – who also kept his belt from Ring Magazine – was undefeated in 33 matches, while White – suffered his third loss in 31 battles – failed in his first attempt at a world title.
If Fury still decides to put on his gloves, the 33-year-old will miss the opportunity to fight for the undisputed crown – a battle that could potentially take place later this year – and a chance to consolidate his status as Britain’s greatest ever toughest category.
“I promised my wife that this would be after [Deontay] A battle with Wilder, “he added.” But I was offered a battle at Wembley and I owed that to the fans. What a way out. “
White had no answer to Fury’s striking force
The record audience witnessed Fury’s biggest blow
With 94,000 fans in attendance – a post-war British record – there was an electric atmosphere like no other for battle, dubbed by some as the greatest British heavyweight in history.
Boos echoed around the iconic stadium as the inflated White let out his reserved company wolf howl before going to the ring.
Fury’s walk was extravagant. It began with the tune of “American Pie” by Don McLean, soon became “Juicy” by Notorious BIG and ended with “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon. Fury then sat on the throne as fireworks exploded into the sky before heading to the ring.
He towered over White as the two men touched their gloves. Fury was annoyed before the match that he could switch to left-handed paw and neutralize White’s dangerous left hook, but surprisingly it was White who came out as left-handed in the opening round with an oath.
It was then Fury’s turn to move from orthodox to second, while the battle of the mind games continued, with the champion ahead of the first two rounds.
He landed with a solid combination of two shots in the third, which led White to attack his opponent. But the challenger could not get close to Fury, who used his height and advantage to keep White at a distance as the battle progressed.
The race really heated up in a spicy fourth round. White called when asked to interrupt, which obviously upset Fury.
The fighters twice received a reprimand from Mark Lyson, as the referee struggled to control the two men, who can boast a total weight of 37 stones.
White’s telegraphed rights did not come close to the elusive Fury, who was easily associated.
Then came perhaps Fury’s biggest blow to what turned out to be a brilliant career. He stepped up with a left kick, and as White stepped forward, Fury struck the brutal uppercut.
White fell back onto the canvas. He channeled the spirit of the warrior he had spoken of before the battle, but when he got to his feet he was clearly not in a position to continue.
Fury celebrates with his wife Paris and his team
Fury insists he will put on his gloves
Fury, as expected, took the microphone and treated the fans to his own performance of “American Pie” in the ring after his victory.
It was a song to end the perfect homecoming party for the Morecambe fighter, who was boxing in the UK for the first time since 2018.
Before the match, he said that this would be his last. That with Wembley boxing he reached his peak.
Many in the sport have taken these comments with a touch of skepticism – something he has said several times before – but Fury seems to be sticking to his word.
His compatriot Anthony Joshua is likely to take revenge on Ukrainian WBA, IBF and WBO champion Alexander Usik this summer.
The lure of fighting the winner for all belts – and the lucrative nature he carries, especially if Joshua wins – may simply tempt Fury to suspend his retirement plans.
Tyson Fury made a dramatic entrance to the throne before facing Dillian White
Career ups and downs
If this is the end, however, this is a remarkable career for a man who at 6 feet 9 inches and 19 stones has the ability to glide in the ring, resembling an elegant ballroom dancer. His style, for his size, is incomparable.
He is a boxer who went from a slight defeat of John McDermott by points for the title of England in Brentwood to a single world champion, shocking long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko in Germany in 2015.
A boxer who returned after more than two and a half years out of the sport and regained the heavyweight title, smashing America and sharing one of the greatest trilogies in the sport with Deontay Wilder.
He entertained reporters by dressing like a batman or shutting his mouth at media conferences. Fury even had time to join the world of professional wrestling.
In the second coming of his career, Fury spoke openly about – and became a defender of – the fight for mental health.
But his career was not without controversy. Shortly after his first world title, Fury made homophobic and sexist remarks during an interview.
He previously tested positive for a banned steroid – something he accuses of eating uncastrated wild boar – and later admitted to using drinks and drugs to deal with depression.
Most recently, his fight with White was somewhat overshadowed by Fury’s ties to Daniel Kinahan, who earlier this month was among seven people affected by global financial sanctions from the United States.
Fury had previously been advised by Kinahan, but insisted this week that he had no “absolute zero” involvement with the Irishman.
It was a career full of ups and downs. But despite his retirement, seeing Gypsy King back in the ring – with the potential to consolidate his status as Britain’s greatest heavyweight in history – is entirely possible.
What’s next for White?
Apart from a few months after his defeat by Alexander Povetkin in 2020, for which he retaliated afterwards, the 34-year-old White was a mandatory contender for the 2017 WBC belt.
“Dilian is a warrior and I believe he will be a world champion,” Fury said as he and White hugged after the fight.
“One of the greatest and, unfortunately, he had to fight me tonight. You don’t mess with a mediocre heavyweight, you mess with the best man on the planet.”
After his first defeat in his career by rival Joshua in 2015, White proved his qualities at the world level with victories over Joseph Parker and Povetkin. He is still a big feature in sports.
A rematch with rival Joshua if he loses to Usik is easy to sell and can capture the imagination of boxing fans.
Time will tell what the future holds for White, but the night belonged to Fury – one of, if not the greatest British heavyweight of all time and future Hall of Fame.
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