Tyson Fury handed never-before-seen belt after Mariusz Wach win
Tyson Fury has been awarded a one-of-a-kind new boxing belt after his win over Mariusz Wach.
On Friday night, former two-time heavyweight champion Fury returned to the boxing ring for a surprise bout against Polish veteran Wach at the Max Muay Thai Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand.
The 37-year-old confirmed the bout just last month, with the clash with Wach intended to serve as a warmup ahead of a blockbuster British clash with Anthony Joshua, who also returns this weekend, later this year.
As expected, Fury emerged victorious in the fight, beating Wach via corner retirement at the end of the seventh round.
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The Pole did not get up off his stool to start the eighth round and the bout was waved off.
But what many didn't expect is that Fury was given a special new belt for the win, despite the fight not being for one of the sport's championship titles.
Fury awarded brand-new belt
That's because the belt has nothing to do with the fight itself and is instead a special recognition of the impact that boxing has outside of the ring.
Confirming the news ahead of the fight, the WBC wrote: "We are proud to announce that the winner of the fight between heavyweight superstar Tyson Fury and Polish veteran Mariusz Wach will be honored with the inaugural WBC METTA Humanitarian Belt, a special recognition that values the extraordinary humanitarian service and the positive impact boxing has beyond the ring.
"Inspired by the Thai concept of เมตตา (Metta)—meaning loving-kindness, compassion, goodwill, and selfless care for others—the WBC METTA Humanitarian Belt celebrates individuals, whose actions have meaningfully improved the lives of others and reflects the organization’s enduring commitment to social responsibility.
"The belt will be presented during Fury’s upcoming visit to Thailand, where his charitable efforts have inspired communities throughout the country, for his upcoming bout against Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach in a 12-round bout on Friday, July 24, at the Max Muay Thai Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand.
The belt displays the colours of the Thai flag and included several traditional symbols for the country, including the traditional Thai Kanok Pattern, a Thai silk pattern two Protective Elephants and the lotus flower.
Why was Fury v Wach in Thailand?
Recently, Fury has held most of training camps in Pattaya, using the Thia city as his base ahead of the fights with Wach and his win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.
Alongside the fight camps, Fury has also done humanitarian work in Thailand, that the WBC describe as a 'defining part of his legacy'.
The fight with Wach was a major charitable initiative that saw 100% of the proceeds from 1,500 VIP ticket sales, the only available tickets, go to organisations supporting starving, underprivileged, and homeless children throughout Pattaya.
Alongside the fundraising, Fury has also visited orphanages during his time in Thailand.
Speaking ahead of the event, Fury said: "It's a beautiful thing I'm able to do here, giving back to a great cause.
"Which other world champion on my level - a high level athlete on earth - would do a performance in front of 1,500 in Pattaya?
"Do you think David Beckham would play professional football here, or someone famous like that? No way. They're just not going to do it.
"A lot of these big celebrities and sports stars think they're bigger than they actually are."
Topics: Tyson Fury, Boxing
Ben McCrum