Wembley acclaims returning hero Tyson Fury after boxing masterclass

Moments after a discombobulating right uppercut sent Dillian Whyte deep into la-la land, Tyson Fury asked Wembley to proclaim his greatness in what he claimed might be the final fight of his career.

“Dillian is a warrior,” said Fury. “And I believe that Dillian will be a world champion. But tonight, he met a great in the sport. I’m one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.”

It is increasingly hard to argue, for all Fury’s indiscretions and dubious acquaintances outside the ring, with an unbeaten body of work that includes defeating Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, defeating Deontay Wilder twice, and a one‑sided demolition of a valiant but outgunned challenger.

To the casual viewer he might resemble an oversized character from Punch Out!!, the popular 1980s Nintendo boxing game, with that devilish glint in his eye and a little too much flesh around the belly. But his natural advantages – that 6ft 9in frame and 85-inch reach – combined with his boxing brain present a challenge few are able to decipher.

Beforehand Fury had promised fans that he would deliver a “real fucking war”. But when the fight was so straightforward there was no need to go into the trenches. Instead he provided a masterclass in the most basic of boxing arts: hit and not be hit.

In his last fight, the third of the trilogy against Deontay Wilder, Fury had surprised many by boxing on the front foot. But here he was as elusive as the Scarlet Pimpernel.

As Fury was introduced, Wembley transformed into a carnivorous pit. Forget that two popular British fighters were slugging it out for the WBC heavyweight title; the crowd’s allegiance was as lopsided as the eventual contest.

Many here were in their Saturday best, sharply dressed in Stone Island and Hugo