Tyson Fury says the key to his second-round knockout vs. Tom Schwarz was "to enjoy me-self." For more Top Rank Boxing action, sign up for ESPN+ here: http://plus.espn.com/ufc. (1:05)

LAS VEGAS -- Tyson Fury, the larger-than-life lineal heavyweight world champion, fancies himself as a showman, and he came to the Las Vegas Strip for the first time to put on a show. He did just that on Saturday night.

Fury easily destroyed the unknown Tom Schwarz in the second round to retain the lineal title for the fourth time before an announced crowd of 9,012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

In the main event of the heavily publicized ESPN+ card, Fury came to the ring dressed in red, white and blue to the James Brown song "Living in America" from "Rocky IV," and he dazzled as expected against a heavy underdog.

Top Rank Boxing: Fury vs. Schwarz Tyson Fury defeated Tom Schwarz to retain the lineal heavyweight championship on June 15. Watch on ESPN+: Fury vs. Schwarz

"The key was to enjoy myself," Fury said. "I used the jab. I was slipping [punches] with my hands down and sliding and shifted to southpaw, and I caught him with a straight left. It was a good shot. It would have put anybody away."

Fury set a quick pace in the opening round as he fired jabs, combinations and even a couple of body shots against a very inactive Schwarz, who was trying to figure out how to get inside against the much bigger man but had no success.

The 6-foot-9, 263-pound Fury (28-0-1, 20 KOs), 30, of England, came in a bit heavier than his last fight in December but still was light on his feet for being such a big man.

"I put on an extra [seven] pounds. I really, really feel it," Fury said. "I haven't had three years out of the ring this time. This time I had a few months out of the ring -- and I'm back. The return of the mack. The mack is back, the lineal champion. Bring 'em all on!

"I came here to enjoy myself, put on a show for Las Vegas, and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did."

Fury turned to a southpaw stance in the second round and landed an uppercut that got Schwarz's attention. And then Fury began to unload on Schwarz.

"The Gypsy King" landed a left hand that clearly hurt Schwartz, giving the 6-5, 245½-pound German (24-1, 16 KOs) a bloody nose. Moments later, Fury, who had been bouncing up and down on his toes and fighting in a rhythm, landed a powerful left hand to the head and Schwarz melted to the canvas on his knees. He beat the count, but the fight was basically over.

Fury was all over him. He cornered the 24-year-old and was unloading punches when Schwarz's corner threw a white towel into the ring to signal resignation. Referee Kenny Bayless, however, was facing the fighters and did not see the towel, but he stepped in to stop the battering anyway, calling a halt to the action at 2 minutes, 54 seconds and sending the largely British crowd into a celebration.

Final punch stats Fighter Total Jabs Power Fury 45 of 158 (29%) 12 of 88 (14%) 33 of 70 (47%) Schwarz 6 of 30 (20%) 1 of 6 (17%) 5 of 24 (21%) -- Courtesy of CompuBox

According to CompuBox punch statistics, Fury landed 45 of 158 shots (29 percent), and Schwarz landed 6 of 30 (20 percent).

"That was amazing. Tyson Fury is a force of nature," said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who was promoting his first Fury bout. "This was one of the great shows I've ever seen and not just because of the boxing. He's an entertainer. He is truly unique. Now that he's in shape, he can knock out every heavyweight in the world. Deontay Wilder is not going five rounds with him. We will have another fight, then we will fight Wilder."

Then Arum invoked the name of a fighter he promoted for many years.

"I haven't seen a fighter with that much charisma since Muhammad Ali," Arum said.

It has been an impressive comeback for Fury, who after winning three belts and the lineal title from Wladimir Klitschko in a huge upset in 2015 nearly lost his career and life.

Fury was stripped of the belts and was out of the ring for 31 months dealing with drug and alcohol issues, massive weight gain and mental health problems that had him on the verge of suicide.

But he returned last June and took on two lesser opponents on the comeback trail, stopping Sefer Seferi in the fourth round and winning a shutout 10-round decision over Francesco Pianeta before fighting to a controversial draw with Wilder in December.