Tyson Fury has welcomed the prospect of facing Wladimir Klitschko again -- most probably in England -- after being crowned the new WBA-IBF-WBO world heavyweight champion on Saturday.
Old Trafford, home of Manchester United who Fury supports, and Wembley Stadium will be considered as venues by Fury's camp who will want to secure home advantage after his unanimous (115-112, 115-112 and 116-111) points victory over Klitschko in Germany, where the Ukrainian has been based for most of his career.
The unbeaten Briton out-punched and out-maneuvered Klitschko, who failed to get into his rhythm and land with any consistency. Fury's movement caused problems for Klitschko, who was unable to find his range with his punches as he suffered his first defeat in 11 years.
Due to a rematch clause in the fight contract, Klitschko has the option of trying to become a three-time world champion -- most likely in April or May 2016. Fury, 27, is not interested in a world title unification fight with American Deontay Wilder, who holds the WBC version of the world title, and is happy to fight Klitschko next.
"Why do we have to mention Deontay Wilder? Wladimir Klitschko was No.1 in the division, reigned for so long, I've just taken him out so why would I be bothered about a novice basketball player who came to boxing a few years ago," Fury told a news conference. "He will have to wait because Wladimir Klitschko has a round two, ding, ding, ding.
"I'm a fighter and I will take up all challenges. I want to be a great champion and I want to do it again [against Klitschko].
"I got news that my wife is pregnant yesterday, we had been trying for two years, so this is the icing on the cake."
Fury was calm and magnanimous in victory, just as Klitschko was gracious in defeat. "If I could be as half as good as Wladimir was as a champion I will be happy," he said.
Fury -- the first gypsy world heavyweight champion -- had few believers that he could pull off a big upset and end Klitschko's nine-and-a-half-year reign (the second longest by a world heavyweight champion after Joe Louis).
"The ones who believed were very few and the ones who disbelieved were very large," Fury added. "It's not come easy.
"[I had] three world title eliminators so I earned my right to fight. All the hard work has been rewarded. It's a Jerry Maguire moment for me and Mick Hennessy -- everyone wrote us off but we've done it."
At 39, Klitschko's 19th title defence in his second reign as champion suggested he could be in decline but asked if he would take the rematch, Klitschko replied: "I have a contract, yes."
"I lost the battle, but I didn't lose the fighter, the fighter is still in there," added Klitschko. "I should have landed more right hands but I couldn't find the right distance. I wish I would have landed more clean shots. I couldn't find the distance to land those shots.
"Tyson was quick with his body movement and I couldn't land the right punches. I congratulate him, but it's to be continued..."
It had been a tense affair, with many of the rounds close. However, Fury landed more of the solid blows and his movement, so impressive throughout, never slowed down.
Klitschko was unable to dictate the fight behind his jab against an opponent who had a four-inch reach advantage and three-inch height advantage.
As the fight went on, it was Klitschko's face that became bloodied and Fury felt confident enough to start landing combinations. "I was bigger than him, I was stronger than him and I was faster than him," Fury said.