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By Johnny Walker
Canadian heavyweight champion Neven Pajkic (16-0-0, 5 KOs) weighed in at a sturdy 232 pounds, over 10 pounds lighter than he was for his last fight, while British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (16-0-0, 11 KOs) was four pounds heavier than for his last bout at 257, as the men stepped on the scales today in preparation for their Commonwealth title bout tomorrow in Manchester.
After a tempestuous lead-up to the match in which both men promised to retire if they should lose, with Fury additionally vowing to do extensive damage to Pajkic for insults to his family, the final presser was a placid affair, with Pajkic adopting a more characteristically Canadian tone of modesty and humility, saying that while he’s “not the greatest fighter” in the world, he also “didn’t come to lay down.”
Taking a cue from Pajkic, Fury also toned it down at the final presser, saying he was sure it would be a good fight, and refraining from any antics or threats that might upset the British Boxing Board of Control.
In the lead-up, Fury often gave the impression, as he talked about the Klitschko brothers and Alexander Povetkin, that he might be looking past Neven Pajkic, perhaps something that is reflected in the scales, as Pajkic looks chiseled and strong, while Fury looks a bit soft and doughy.
The Nov. 12 telecast of Fury versus Pajkic will be available LIVE in Canada to all Super Channel network subscribers, and will be shown in the USA on Fight Now TV.
