Tyson Fury has beaten Wladimir Klitschko via a unanimous points decision in Dusseldorf tonight to clinch the WBA Super, WBO and IBF world heavyweight titles.

The 27-year-old pulled off a stunning upset to relieve the long-standing champion - whose last defeat came back in 2004 - of his belts in a fight that only caught fire during the closing stages, but he was deservedly awarded verdicts of 115-112, 115-112 and 116-111.

Klitschko, who had won 18 successive title defences, was the overwhelming favourite, but a lacklustre showing from the veteran saw him land just 52 punches compared to Fury's 86.

Fury had to wait an additional five weeks to get Klitschko in the ring after the latter pulled out of the initial clash last month. Early on, it did not seem worth the wait as Fury edged a cagey first three rounds in which his unorthodox style seemed to catch Klitschko unawares.

The pre-fight underdog drew first blood in the fifth round, but it was a clash of heads which left the Ukrainian with a cut underneath his left eye rather than a punch. Nevertheless, Fury, who hit the headlines during the build-up with his behaviour during the pre-fight press conferences, looked similarly as confident on the night as he mocked Klitschko by putting his hands behind his back during the sixth round.

As the fight wore on, it became increasingly obvious that Klitschko would need a knockout in order to retain his titles as an overly-cautious approach looked like undermining him.

It was not until the ninth round that Fury looked in trouble as a strong right from Klitschko jarred him, but the challenger responded superbly with a ferocious left which cut the champ's forehead.

Fury looked certain to be within touching distance of the victory, but the Englishman was rocked in the final round, before Klitschko continued his pursuit of a knockout with another fine strike, but the six-foot-nine Fury kept his balance and his cool to see out a famous triumph.