Before the fight started, Tyson Fury surprised the crowd by coming in the ring to “Living In America” in homage to fictional character Apollo Creed. He might have surprised the crowd with the result that happened on Saturday night as well.

It took two rounds for Fury to dispatch Schwarz in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, as referee Kenny Bayless waived the bout before the second round ended. Fury showed his versatility in the boxing ring as he was able to throw punches from an orthodox and a southpaw stance, causing Schwarz to have a bloody nose from a combination. After a display of head movement to avoid multiple punches from Schwarz, Fury threw a combination of his own to score a knockdown with under a minute left in the round. After Schwarz got up, Fury continued his barrage on his opponent on the ropes until Bayless stopped it. Fury celebrated his 20th stoppage victory by climbing on the ropes in the neutral corner and raising both hands high in the air.

Fury referred to his versatility in the ring and fighting on a more regulated schedule after the fight. “I used the jab, I was slipping and sliding, I switched up to southpaw and caught (Schwarz) with a straight left,” he said. “I put on an extra 12 pounds, and I really feel it. I haven’t had three years out of the ring this time. This time it has only been a few months, and I’m back.”

Before last year, Fury had to get himself in gear to fight after an extended layoff from November 2015 until June 2018. He fought twice before getting in the ring with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder last December, which ended in a draw. They were slated to have a rematch after that fight but Fury decided to put that on hold. Because of that, Wilder ended up defending his title against Dominic Breazeale last month and Fury took on Schwarz. We now have a little more clarity as to when that rematch could take place.

“Well, Bob (Arum) will tell you that we have either September 21st or October 5th…and then next year, we’re gonna hunt down Deontay Wilder and make him give me that green belt!” Fury claimed after his win over Schwarz.

Cover photo by Mikey Williams