LONDON: Britain’s Tyson Fury roared out a challenge to rival heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine after retaining his WBC title with a savage 10th round stoppage of compatriot Derek Chisora on Saturday.

Fury’s one-sided victory in front of 60,000 fans packing Tottenham Hotspur’s North London stadium on a chilly December night completed a trilogy over a brave but outclassed opponent.

The ‘Gypsy King’ had threatened ‘carnage’ in the ring and he dominated from the opening bell, with Chisora repeatedly on the ropes and taking some punishing blows from his taller and heavier opponent.

Fury was popping in the jabs freely in the second round, with Chisora unsteady on his legs in the third when both fighters tumbled accidentally to the canvas.

Chisora’s right eye began to close up from the seventh, the challenger receiving attention in his corner at the end of the following rounds as the fight became a race between a stoppage and a knockout.

It needed referee Victor Loug­hlin to step in — the Scot finally waving a halt with 10 seconds rema­ining in the 10th round.

“Where’s Oleks­andr Usyk, the rabbit?,” Fu­ry roared at the crowd.

The Briton then went face to face with the Ukrainian champion who had been watching from ringside and was booed by the crowd when his face appeared on the big screen.

“Hey rabbit, you’re next,” screamed Fury. “Me and you ... I’m going to write you off.”

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2022