FURY CLAIMS ENGLISH HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

Sky Sports12th September, 2009

Tyson Fury became the English heavyweight champion in just his eighth fight with a controversial points success over John McDermott.

The giant 21-year-old was awarded the bout 98-92 by referee Terry O'Connor, a verdict that left many at ringside stunned.

McDermott was certainly surprised by the outcome having believed he had been the better fighter throughout the gruelling 10-rounder.

Having been unimpressed by being called 'McMuffin' by his rival, the experienced Big Bad John did all he could to take the strap in front of his home crowd at the Brentwood Centre in Essex.

Afterwards both fighters insisted they would be happy to have a re-match.

"I deserved it - I worked very hard for that," Fury told Sky Sports. "John McDermott was a lot harder than I thought he'd be, all credit to him.

"But I thought I worked the harder throughout the fight and I deserved to win. If he wants a re-match, let's get it on. I will stop him next time."

McDermott was also keen to do it all again having been told by his corner he was "at least four rounds ahead" when the two came together for the final three minutes.

The 29-year-old had been forced to wade through Fury's impressive jab in the opening rounds, though he did land some heavy overhand rights of his own.

At the end of the first the pair threatened to carry on after the bell, standing eyeball-to-eyeball before the referee and members of both corners charged into the ring to get between the pair.

However, as the bout wore on McDermott began to force his way inside, landing a solid right in the eighth as he took his rival into unknown territory. It still wasn't enough though to get his hands on the strap.

"Going into the last round my corner told me 'John, you're at least four rounds in front'. I thought the last round was level...I thought I nicked it," he said.

"What have I got to do to win it? I'm a nice gentle guy, he's the one with the big mouth and I've been penalised for it. I'll have a re-match."

His promoter, Frank Maloney, certainly pulled no punches in his appraisal of referee O'Connor's performance.

"I'm sure I will be called up before the (British Boxing) Board for my behaviour but Terry O'Connor is a disgrace to British boxing for what he's done here tonight," he added.

"Why do I want to be in the business when you're getting robbed? At least Dick Turpin has a mask on when he robs you."

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