A bitter, ongoing feud for the past year promises to finally erupt November 12 when a pair of 16-0 heavyweights, massive Tyson Fury and menacing Neven “No Surrender” Pajkic, put their perfect records on the line, as well as their immense pride, in a 12-round take-no-prisoners title fight at EventCity, Trafford Park (next to Trafford Centre) in Manchester, England. It will mark Fury’s first pro fight in his birthplace of Manchester.
“EventCity is thrilled to be the host venue for a world-class boxing event, and looks forward to welcoming spectators to a fantastic evening of sport and entertainment,” noted Andy Orr, Centre Director, EventCity.
Fury vs. Pajkic, proudly presented by Hennessy Sports, will be broadcast live on Channel 5, the United Kingdom’s terrestrial network.
Neven will be challenging Fury for his prestigious Commonwealth title as the British champion, Tyson, takes on the Canadian title holder, Pajkic.
Fury (16-0, 11 KOs), who called out the Bosnian from ringside at a Pajkic fight last year, has been the subject of some derogatory remarks made by Pajkic (16-0, 5 KOs) on numerous occasions. There’s no love lost between these rivals. Along with bragging rights being on the line in the United Kingdom/Ireland and Canada, the “O” must go for one of these two warriors,
“Once again, Tyson will be fighting a dangerous, undefeated fighter,” noted Mick Hennessy, who is promoter of the Nov. 12th event as well as Fury’s. “In his last six fights, including the upcoming one against Pajkic, Tyson will have fought four undefeated fighters (14-0 Dereck Chisora, 13-0 Marcelo Luiz Nascimento and 12-0 Rich Power), which is unheard of for a top heavyweight coming up the ranks. Tyson is old-school and he’s doing everything the proper way. I honestly believe that, within 18 months to two years, not only will he be the No. 1 heavyweight in the world, but the biggest name in the sport as well.
“Fury vs. Pajkic is another great fight for Channel 5, it is an absolutely explosive grudge match that shouldn’t be missed.”
The 23-year-old Fury is one of the top heavyweight contenders in the world, presently rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Council (“WBC”) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (“WBA”). He captured the British & Commonwealth titles in July by way of an impressive 12-round decision against previously undefeated Chisora in London.
In his last action, Fury stopped Nicolai Firtha (20-8-1) in the fifth round of their September 17 thriller at the famed Kings Hall in Belfast.
A native of war-torn Bosnia, Pajkic defected to Canada in 1996 and he went on to capture top honors at the 2004 Ringside Tournament, which was the highlight of his amateur boxing career. Now living in Toronto, Neven is the reigning Canadian heavyweight champion whose most notable victims have been Nicolai Firtha, Johnnie White, Raphael Butler, Jason Gavern and Grzegprz Koelsa (twice).
“I’ve never seen Neven show this much anger towards any other fighter,” Pajkic’s promoter Rick Smiciklas noted. “It all started when Tyson called out Neven, who then flicked his towel at Tyson, and it’s grown from there. Neven can’t stand Tyson. Calling it a bitter rivalry is weak. Now, they can settle their bad blood in the ring. It’s going to be a fun night. They each have a lot of energy. Both are charismatic and speak very well. This is a fight that’s going to be good for boxing and both guys.”
Also scheduled to fight on the Nov. 12 card in Manchester is the very talented exciting, undefeated super bantamweight prospect Kid Galahad (10-0, 4 KOs), of Sheffield).
