LONDON (October 12, 2011) – 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 and exciting, undefeated super bantamweight prospect Kid Galahad (10-0, 4 KOs), of Sheffield)
The full card will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, starting at £30, will be on sale from midday today (Wednesday 12th) and may be purchased via Hennessy Sports Box Office 01925 755 222, Ticketline.co.uk 0844 888 4402, Ticketmaster.co.uk 0844 847 2500 and online at www.HennessySports.com.
Doors open at 5 PM with the first bout scheduled to start at 5.30 PM.
The Nov. 12 telecast will also be available in Canada to all Super Channel network subscribers.
Go on line at www.HennessySports.com for more information about Fury, his fight vs. Pajkic, or any Hennessy Sports boxers and events.
Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham Awarded ‘Fighter of The Year’ Briscoe For Second Time
Two time International Boxing Federation (IBF) Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham became the first two time Briscoe Award winner, after receiving his second ‘Fighter Of The Year’ award, at the 4th Annual Briscoe Awards, which took place at the VBA Club in Port Richmond, PA, on Monday evening.
Cunningham, who was awarded the 2007 ‘Fighter of the Year’ Briscoe ahead of his December ‘08 ‘Fight of the Year’ nominated battle against Tomasz Adamek, was put forward for his second Briscoe after securing the IBF title for the second time, and won based on votes cast by boxing fans, boxing media, and the readers of the Web site PhillyBoxingHistory.com.
Speaking from his Philadelphia home earlier today Cunningham said, “Being voted Philly’s boxer of the year for 2010 means a lot to me.
I don’t get to fight at home and so my Philly fans don’t really get to see me fight, so to be recognized was special.
The event was great, a lot of people came out to show support.
I would like to thank John Di Santo, he works really hard keeping Philly’s boxing history alive and organizing the awards, I appreciate all that he does for Philly boxing.”
Also receiving Briscoe Awards on Monday were, Derek ‘Pooh’ Ennis and ‘King’ Gabriel Rosado, for their classic 12-round war, which received the ‘2010 Philly Fight of the Year’. Ennis won the fight, but both boxersrightly won the ‘Briscoe’.
Dhafir Smith won a special Briscoe Award for his ‘Upset of the Year’, for his magnificent victory over former world champion Jeff Lacy. Smith defied all odds by going onto Lacy’s own back yard to battle his way to a major upset victory.
Amateur star Damon Allen, Jr. won the ‘Everett Brothers Award’ which is presented by Eddie Everett and Mike Everett in the name of their deceased brother Tyrone and their family’s great boxing tradition.
A UK FIRST, A LIVE SPORTING EVENT IS BEING STREAMED, FREE TO AIR, DIRECTLY TO VIEWER’S TELEVISIONS
LIVE boxing title fights rarely come to Freeview, but this weekend some lucky viewers will be watching Nathan Cleverly defend his WBO World Light-Heavyweight crown on Freeview this Saturday, 15th October.
Welshman Cleverly will be facing his bitter rival and Commonwealth Champion, Tony Bellew at the Liverpool Echo Arena and both men will be putting their unbeaten records on the line. Also on the same bill, James DeGale will fight for the European Super-Middleweight title against Pole Piotr Wilczewski.
Viewers with the latest generation of Freeview HD televisions and set-top boxes Can watch the fights live as they will be streamed on Freeview Channel 112 at 7pm this Saturday night
The Live broadcast is the first live sports event on the new Sports Tonight Live channel on Freeview HD. The channel was recently set up to stream on PC and TV, and is growing a loyal audience for its informed and outspoken views on all aspects of UK sport
The Cleverly vs. Bellew bout is free-to-view and comes direct from BoxNation, the new and dedicated LIVE boxing channel, which can also be seen on channel 456 on the Sky platform. And now thanks to technology partners Connect TV and Vision21 this Saturday’s LIVE action can be seen on Freeview.
The winner of the Cleverly Bellew bout could face legendary Bernard Hopkins in a unification fight. Hopkins defends his WBC crown against Chad Dawson in Los Angeles, which will also be screened LIVE on BoxNation on Sky platform channel
456 and Freeview channel 112 on the same night.
“I’m in discussions with Hopkins’s promoter Richard Schaefer about a potential fight with the winner,” said promoter Frank Warren. “So it’s a massive incentive for both guys.”
“This is a dramatic development for Freeview HD”, said Phil Walder of Connect TV.
“For the first time in the UK, a live sporting event is being streamed, free to air, directly to viewers’ televisions. This is the start of a revolution in live TV that will give promoters and sports rights owners a direct route to their audience.”
The two World Light-Heavyweight fights will be available on channel 112 on Freeview HD televisions and set top boxes that are connected to the TV and have the latest compliant software.
For further information regarding the technology please visit our website www.vision21.tv or contact Simon Burgess on simon@vision21.tv