Talking Boxing with KELLY PAVLIK
On tomorrow's ShoBox bout, "definitely a victory, I’ve worked too hard for this one"
by
Brian Skjold
3/3 - The middleweight division is beginning a major transition period. Undisputed champ Bernard Hopkins seems to have a vice-grip on the division until “he” decides to let go, or his 40 years starts to loosen it a bit. The general consensus in the boxing world is that Jermain Taylor is the heir apparent to Hopkins’ throne, but don’t tell that to Kelly Pavlik.
“…besides Taylor going to the Olympics and winning a bronze medal, he hasn’t fought [any] better opponents than I have fought. He fought Edouard, I’m fighting Beaupierre. He fought Joppy, I fought Ross Thompson. He fought Grady Brewer, I fought Grady Brewer. I’ve done better against guys than he has.”
The undefeated Kelly Pavlik looks to continue his streak when he makes his Showtime debut this Friday against the tough Dorian Beaupierre.
"I need to be very impressive"
“We’re very fortunate to get out there on Showtime. A lot of people are going to watch. I need to be very impressive, look good on there and then take my spot as one of the top middleweights.”
Showtime’s “Shobox Series” has been putting together some good match-ups lately, making a name for themselves and the fighters they feature. This Friday’s bout between Pavlik and Beaupierre has the potential to be a great fight. Pavlik knows Beaupierre has an awkward style, he likes to fight from different angles and catch his opponents off guard. But, if Pavlik has anything to say about it, he’ll be the one in control.
“He hasn’t shown me too much power…but, anybody in this sport can be dangerous. The main thing is to keep my composure throughout the whole fight. If he wants to come in, I’m the taller fighter so we’ve got the game plan down for that. If he wants to move around the ring and try to box, we can definitely take care of that problem. The main thing is to keep my composure, don’t get frustrated and bring the fight to him.”
At 23-0 (20 KO’s), Pavlik brings a lot of things to the table. With good movement and natural boxing ability, he offers a tough match-up for anyone. But, at 6’2”, with power in both hands, he is even more dangerous.
"keep working hard to get ready for that top level"
“…people have problems with my size and power. My conditioning’s really good. I kind of have a style like a Hopkins, I tend to wear fighters down. The main thing is to keep working hard to get ready for that top level.”
At this height, Kelly is a huge middleweight. There has been talk in the boxing world lately about a possible move up to the super-middleweight division. This move could open up a lot of options, but for now the middleweight division is Pavlik’s home.
“Hopefully, I can stay here at middleweight and we’ll see at the end of the year. If my weight is still good we can stay there. Otherwise we’ll be looking to super-middleweight. The main thing right now is to establish a big name at middleweight.”
In the five years since turning pro Pavlik has had many great moments inside the ring. But, the way he carries himself outside the ring is also an important part of who he is as a fighter. He looks to boxers like Oscar De La Hoya, who have set an example on how to be professional and help promote the sport with their actions.
“Hopefully I’m a humble person. I don’t believe in being a real cocky fighter. Like De La Hoya, he’s a great fighter and he’s that much more likeable outside of the ring because of his personality and the way he carries himself. I think the sport needs that a lot now.”
"Definitely a victory, I’ve worked too hard for this one"
Included in his respect for the sport, Pavlik would also like to help get boxing going again in his hometown. Hailing from Youngstown, Ohio Kelly knows the rich boxing history the town has, and knows there are a lot of expectations for him. With former world champions like Ray Mancini and Harry Arroyo also calling Youngstown home, Pavlik knows he has some big shoes to fill.
“People like Mancini from 20 years ago…he’s still an icon here and a role model to a lot of people and I’ve noticed that. That’s something I’d like to have in the future. Hopefully I can bring back a big world title [or] hopefully a couple more, which is not a bad thing at all.”
It’s hard not to pull for a guy like Kelly Pavlik. He’s a great fighter who also carries a lot of respect for the sport. It’s easy to see his true colors shine through when he gives his prediction for the Beaupierre fight...
“I know a victory, but I can’t give rhymes or anything like that…no “knockout in 3” or anything. I don’t go for the knockout, so if they come I’ll take them. Definitely a victory, I’ve worked too hard for this one.”
Discuss this at our Boxing Forum
