Tyson Fury 'remains on course to challenge Klitschkos'

The 23-year-old Fury is now undefeated in 17 professional contests

Promoter Mick Hennessy says Tyson Fury remains on course to challenge the Klitschkos for heavyweight supremacy after a dramatic win on Saturday.

The Briton defended his Commonwealth title for the first time by stopping Canadian Neven Pajkic but was floored in the second round in Manchester.

"He's just got to stop getting drawn into a gun-fight and start being smart," said Hennessy.

"He wants the Klitschkos and 18 months from now he'll beat the Klitschkos."

Wladimir Klitschko, who beat Britain's David Haye in July, is the WBA, IBF and WBO title-holder, while older brother Vitali holds the WBC belt.

On the face of it Fury, who stands 6ft 9in and weighs in at 18st, is a physical match for both brothers, but the bout against Pajkic suggested the British champion is some way short of a world title tilt.

Despite only stopping five opponents in his 16 professional wins before Saturday and giving away almost two stones in weight, Pajkic made a mockery of his reputation as a light puncher by dumping Fury to the canvas with an overhand right in round two.

However, Fury responded to the first knockdown of his unblemished 17-fight career in devastating fashion, flooring Pajkic twice before stopping the Canadian 17 seconds from the end of the next round.

"He's got a lot of work to do, but by the time he gets there in 16 months' time he'll be a different fighter," said Hennessy.

Hennessy is planning for Fury to fight again in Blackpool in January before making his US debut at New York's Madison Square Garden in March.

"Hopefully I'm going to have a big year next year with plenty of fights, plenty of wins and plenty of excitement," said Fury.

"I wouldn't fear going in with any man in the world. I believe I can beat any man."

Meanwhile, Liverpool's David Price wants a match with Manchester-born Fury, if the former Olympic bronze medallist can get past John McDermott on 21 January.

"I beat Fury in the amateurs and I will beat him in the pros and I just hope that both promoters can get this fight on," said Price, 28.

"I give Tyson Fury credit. To get up off the canvas and go on to win the fight takes a lot of heart and courage and I hope he shows the same guts by taking me on.

"This is a fight the British public want and deserve."