Knockdown not enough to stop ambitious Fury

It was only the second time in the Briton’s career he had had to pick himself up off the canvas, but he recovered strongly to go 21-0 and set up a final eliminator against Kubrat Pulev – with the winner of that contest to face Wladimir Klitschko.

It was the first time in the American’s career that he had been stopped and Fury was keen to praise his opponents before turning the attention to his own performance.

“It’s one of those things, you can’t go swimming and not get wet h- e put on a good fight,” said Fury.

“I got caught with a big swinging right. You have to get up, this is a learning experience.

“That was a good hook to the side of the jaw, it was a matter of time until I got hold of him and when I caught him it was curtains.”

Nathan Cleverly has declared 2013 as the year he will unify the light-heavyweight division after polishing away the ring-rust against outclassed Robin Krasniqi at Wembley Arena.

Cleverly defended his WBO title for the fifth time with a landslide points decision against the tough but limited mandatory challenger, winning every round on two scorecards and all but one on the third. The 26-year-old hopes it is the beginning of a busy and triumphant chapter of his career that will see him acquire two more belts.

First in the crosshairs is WBA champion Beibut Shumenov with victory in that contest setting up his dream showdown with IBF king Bernard Hopkins.

“This is the year to stay active and push for the big fights. It’s very important for me to get back in the ring as soon as possible,” the Welshman said.

“I need to stay active and keep the rust away and try to unify the light-heavyweight division. 2013 could be the year to do that.

“I want fights that test me and that’s the elite fights now - Hopkins and those guys.”