Preview - Tyson will unleash his Fury on light puncher Pajkic

Tyson Fury makes the first defence of his Commonwealth heavyweight title against the Sarajevo-born Canadian Neven Pajkic in Manchester tonight, a bout which will be shown live on Channel 5.

The pair weighed in yesterday, Fury scaling 18st 5lbs, Pajkic 25lbs lighter at 16st 8lbs.

Though both men have identical 16-0 records, a slightly closer analysis shows that Pajkic looks to be a tailor made opponent for Fury to shine as the 34-year-old boasts just five stoppages and has only won two contests inside the distance since 2007.

After defeating Derek Chisora to claim both the British and Commonwealth belts in July, 24-year-old Fury was hastily mentioned as a possible challenger to heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko despite only having 15 fights. Sensibly his promoter Mick Hennessy rapidly dismissed the notion describing the 6ft 9in Manchester giant as a baby and said he intends on guiding him through the classic route of British, Commonwealth and European titles before stepping up to face top ten world combatants.

But Hennessy, who helped guide Carl Froch to the WBC super-middleweight crown, insists Fury is in a domestic league of his own, and claims his man would wipe the floor with Liverpool rival David Price despite Fury coming off second when they met as amateurs back in 2006. However that view is not shared by boxing insiders who feel Price will eventually be the man to fly the British flag on the world scene following the retirement of former WBA champion David Haye.

Presently, Fury is seated in the domestic pole position with two belts and an exciting opportunity to turn himself into a household name through terrestrial TV exposure but with that comes the expectation to impress while maintaining his unbeaten professional log. Tyson`s last outing in September when he stopped Nicolai Firtha saw him carelessly shaken as he appears to relish fighting with his heart rather than his head, but he should be credited for halting a man who took the current WBA champion Alexander Povetkin 10 rounds just two fights before.

More importantly, it should be highlighted that Fury has only been a professional for less than three years and still needs suitable tests to fully develop into the finished article without being rushed into the ring against the division`s premiere players ahead of his time.

Pajkic, who fits the bill for now, has had an incredibly slow career with only 16 contests since turning professional in 2005 and has never fought outside Canada where he has been carefully matched. Although he has won the Canadian title and is currently ranked as his hometown`s number two heavyweight Pajikic, who holds the nickname `No Surrender’ and has stupidly insulted both Tyson`s wife and father, won`t be able to derail the Tyson train.

Those hurtful personal comments will have fired Fury up and I expect him to have made Pajikic quit by the halfway stage after being on the wrong end of his heavy hands. But as Tyson faces more experienced and talented fighters he will have to ensure his defence is tightened up even though his chin looks solid and resist the lure of getting involved in needless tear ups as he utilises his strengths in boxing at range off his excellent jab.

The likeable Fury who loves to joke and has a likeable cheekiness about him outside the ring has recently demonstrated a noticeable committed attitude in curbing the junk food and shedding excess pounds. Since the Chisora victory Tyson has parted company with trainer and uncle Hughie and will have new charge Canadian Chris Johnson in his corner for the first time as he realistically targets a world title shot in the next 18 months.

Earlier this week, Audley Harrison officially called him out as the man to test (if the 2000 Olympic gold medallist has one last dance left) as Fury is swiftly becoming the British heavyweight everyone wants a piece of. Fury has already rejected Audley`s desperate plea for yet another chance to prove everyone wrong and contradicted his promoters plans by declaring his sights are firmly set on challenging either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko within his next two bouts.

If holding onto his British and Commonwealth gold for several defences doesn`t appeal, Fury should try and come through against several top 15 contenders before making the leap to a couple of giants.