By John F. McKenna (McJack)
Mick Hennessy who promotes the fights for undefeated Commonwealth heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (17-0, 12 KO’s) says his fighter will eventually rule the heavyweight division. Fury defeated Bosnian born Canadian heavyweight champion Neven Pajkic (16-1, 5 KO’s) Saturday night via 3rd round TKO in a dramatic homecoming to Manchester. The bout was Fury’s debut fight in his hometown of Manchester.
The win was not a cakewalk for the 6’9”, 257 pound Fury who was sent to the canvas for the 1st time in his career in the 2nd round by a brutal overhand right thrown by Pajkic. Fury enjoyed a huge height and reach advantage over the 6’1”, 232 pound Pajkic.
There was some concern by some ringside observers that Fury did not make full use of his huge reach advantage and appeared to make little effort to hold his rival at bay with his long left jab.
Fury was anxious to put on a good show for his first fight in Manchester, but the bout exposed serious flaws in his pugilistic makeup. Tyson elected once again to enter the ring not in the best of condition.
Fury unloaded a huge right uppercut in the 3rd round and followed up with a series of punches which sent Pajkic to the canvas. The game Pajkic arose and was knocked down two more times before the referee stepped in to halt the contest.
Promoter Hennessy speaking of Fury’s prospects had this to say in a word of caution to Fury. Hennessy was quoted in the DailyRecord.co.uk saying:
“Tyson’s got to stop getting drawn into gunfights and start being smart. Once he does that he’ll be the best heavyweight in the world. He wants the Klitschko’s and 18 months from now he’ll beat them.”
Fury speaking of his knockdown said:
“Champions go down and they get back up. It shows true grit to do that and knock the guy out.”
Fury recently took on new trainer Canadian Chris Johnson to replace his uncle who had previously served in that capacity. Fury said he wanted to use Johnson as his trainer for his fight with Pajkic and go from there. Tyson previously hit it off well with Johnson while working with the former WBF light heavyweight champion in Canada.
At this point it is way too premature for Fury and his promoter to even think about fighting the Klitschko’s. He has to first demonstrate that he has the maturity and work ethic to get himself into shape and follow the game plan laid out for him by his handlers.
