Can Kelly Pavlik save boxing?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
That’s a Herculean task for one man, but Pavlik has shown he’s been up to just about everything so far.
Plus, he’s done a pretty good job of proving me wrong…a real good job. I thought Edison Miranda was going to take him out. My belief was Pavlik was nothing more than a Vs. fighter. He’d been on that network so much, I attached that stigma to him.
But he starched Miranda to move on to one of my faves, Jermain Taylor. I was all ready to call my brothers after Taylor floored Pavlik in the second round last September.
Pavlik showed his toughness among other things to knockout my boy in the seventh. In the rematch, a body shot in the 11th ended all hopes of Taylor getting revenge.
But Pavlik is more than just what he does in the ring. He personifies everything that is right about the sport. From his top-notch character to his down-to-earth attitude, he’s what the public needs to see more of.
He’s even got a local connection. Pavlik and OU football coach Bob Stoops both come from Youngstown, Ohio. Stoops was in attendance for the rematch with Taylor in February.
Pavlik took care of business against Gary Lockett last Saturday. I’ll give him a pass for the lack of real opposition on that one. But once again, it’s time to step back up to face the big boys again.
You can find flaws, both professional and personal, in just about every boxer. So far with Pavlik, we only have the professional ones, and it’s the fun kind. He likes to go slug it out too much. Well, that only leads to exciting fights that people want to see – nothing wrong with that.
Boxing doesn’t need to be “saved,” but a name that the Average Joe recognizes and cares about that isn’t Mike Tyson or Oscar De La Hoya couldn’t hurt. For my money, Pavlik’s the future.
Side note: We saw an end of an era when Contender champ Sergio Mora outworked one of my all-time faves, Vernon Forrest, to win his first world title last Saturday. Forrest’s victory over Shane Mosley is still one of my favorite moments in boxing. Forrest was one of the good guys. But he just doesn’t have it anymore. Thanks for the memories, Viper.
- The Fight Doctor
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Comments
Can I ask though – how did you get this picked up and into google news?
Very impressive that this blog is syndicated through Google and is it something that is just up to Google or you actively created?
Obviously this is a popular blog with great data so well done on your seo success..
Boxing greats you should write about next!
I’m looking forward to more of these entries. What fights are you looking forward to in the future?
I agree that Pavlik is exciting to watch but I don’t see him having the mainstream appeal that would make him one of the top draws. Who do you see next for Pavlik? Would Calzaghe fight him in the US? Would Calzaghe face him at all?
ZW – Enzo Calzaghe got a real good look at Kelly against Lockett (Enzo trained Lockett). I don’t know if he was impressed, but I think the Calzaghe bunch has a much better feel about Kelly now.
Joe Calzaghe has gone on record saying he wants Roy Jones Jr. If Roy is willing to come to England, that’s a bankable fight. Maybe not a great fight, but a money making one for sure.
To answer your first two questions in one swoop, I can’t wait for Edison Miranda vs. Arthur Abraham II. The first one was mired in controversy. And the winner should no doubt face Pavlik. Pavlik-Miranda I was incredible, why not do it again?
- Boneman