Froch isn't interested in Pavlik. He has said that in his own interviews. Why take it? Because it would be a relatively easy fight with a chance to look spectacular and help get momentum by bringing back some of his youngstown fans. Alienating them doesn't help. So, the possibility of Top Rank, Showtime and HBO saying "**** you" to Pavlik for pulling out AGAIN (5th time in 3 years and 3rd time within only a few days notice) is less of a momentum killer than possibly losing to Bute? Sorry, I disagree. And what would be his plan? Abraham? Not happening, he's going down to MW Froch? Has said he's not interested Bute? Pavlik's not interested for the money Johnson? Johnson would be up for it, but Pavlik would get little money for a risky fight (if you think Cunningham is risky in Pavlik's brain, then he'd probably **** his pants over what Johnson does). Dirrell?-low money, high risk Ward?-not great money, high risk Kessler- decent money, risky, and I doubt it happens Andrade?- easy win, decent money, but hes Golden Boy. And that doesn't take into account the fact that the networks might not want to book him with any of these guys because who wants to invest time and money in someone who has a penchant for not showing up?
Pavliks done, good riddance to the loser redneck. B-Hops ruined him, took his heart and made him his *****....he has never and will never recover, he has to hit the bottle to cope.
I thought I heard at one point Pavlik would be a mandatory fight for Froch but maybe thats not the case. I agree the Cunningham fight would build a small amount of momentum for Pavlik but its not going to create much and he could lose the fight due to cuts or something. Anything can happen and he only makes 50k for the fight. If he lost the fight it would be devastating. Abraham might change his mind to fight Pavlik. If Pavlik won against Abraham in convincing fashion it might make him more of a draw. A lot can change in boxing with a couple good wins. It might be a bit of a challenge to get a fight right now but I still think Pavlik can, he is a pretty big name in boxing he generates a lot of money. There is not a long list of American fighters more famous then Pavlik.
He was getting 40% of all revenues against Bute. Enough said... The 1.35 million was a guarantee, even if the fight brought less revenue than anticipated. The Cunningham fight was only made on Kelly's request to prepare for Bute.
I love Andrade, but he's pretty shot at this point. Have you seen his fights against Lucas and Pryor? He isn't really the same anymore.
How would it make him a bigger draw to beat a guy who had COMPREHENSIVELY lost and been dominated in his last 3 fights? It's not happening. Pavlik is Froch's mandatory, but he's facing Ward next and has mentioned the idea of moving up to rematch Pascal and possibly Hopkins. A fight against Froch is probably not happening for Pavlik.
Maybe he wont get the Froch fight but there are many ways to skin a cat. I don't think pulling out of the fight will hurt him as badly as you and some others think but time will tell.
The idea that Pavlik has any shot of landing Froch any time soon is pure fantasy. Froch is defending his WBC belt against Ward at the end of the year. Even if he wins that fight, Kessler is going to be the mandatory before Pavlik because he's the champion emeritus and Froch has repeatedly said he wants to avenge his loss. Beyond that, both Ward and Froch would probably also rather fight Bute for big money in Canada than give Pavlik the time of day. In all likelihood, Pavlik would have to wait around for at least 3 more fights before he gets a crack at the WBC beltholder, and it seems pretty damn unlikely to me that the WBC will continue to rank him so highly now that he's pissed off both networks and his own promoter. Abraham also won't be happening any time soon. Abraham will be going through some image rehabilitation of his own and is far more interested in finally getting Sturm at middleweight than Pavlik at super middleweight. Pavlik is exteremely unlikely to have prospects as attractive as he did against Bute any time in the near future. I would never criticize him if he's still going through personal stuff and that's the real reason he pulled out, but there are business justifications for this decision IMO.
Who cares about the money. You make more for an hour of work than everybody else in your podunk blue collar town combined earns annually. STFU and fight if you want to stay relevant. God damn prissy little princess.
The ****ing truth came out people. "That’s Top Rank’s fault and my agent Cameron Dunkin’s fault because if they would’ve told me two weeks ago and three weeks ago the amount of money and what they’re paying me, then I would've said, ’You know what, I’m going to cancel the fight.’ But you’re going to let me know a week before because what they're thinking is, ‘We’ll tell him a week before and there’s nothing he’ll do about it. He won’t cancel the fight.’ Well bullsh*t. I call bullsh*t on that. I will cancel the fight and I’m going to leave it up to Top Rank to come out and make a clear statement. This content is protected and "You mean to tell me right now that you’re going to draw 25,000 or 20,000 people in Canada, in Montreal, in his hometown, and you’re going offer me $1 million, and then we had to negotiate to get to $1.35 [million]…The whole thing comes down to I’m tired of playing the game…For Top Rank to say, 'Well, he ain’t got the heart to fight anymore,' but I do, but make it worth it. You know, I’d rather fight for $200,000, fight a couple tune-ups and wait for Carl Froch to open up. I’m the number one [WBC] mandatory for that fight, so put me in there against him.” finally This content is protected You cant hate on Pavlik for this! He had the balls to step up and Call out TOP RANK. How are you gonna pay 270k to fight Lopez, but 50,000 at Covelli? He fought AT the " Youngstown State BasketBall Court for 350,000... It dont make sense