McClellan vs Pavlik

McClellan by midround TKO.

 

Tough, physical fight between two huge middleweights. I like this matchup much more for Gman than yesterday's at 168 against Kessler. Pavlik would be right in front of Gman which is not a good thing for him. I like Gman to win this one but then again, Pavlik could land a straight right hand and end it. If I was betting, I would take Gman.

 

McClellan early KO

 

McClellan round 1 KO

 

Was Pavlik as much of a boiled down light heavyweight as the likes of Roy Jones & Gerald? It's interesting how we never really saw Pavlik or Gerald do much at what would be their "natural" weight class.

 

Thing for me about Pavlik is I thought his hands were very slow. At 175 I'm assuming even slower. Never had a very high opinion of him TBH

 

One thing You have to give to Pavlik. On his way up, He was absolutely fearless. I have no doubt He'd go right at McClellan, with confidence that He can break him.
Would it work? Probably not - McClellan is not Miranda, or Taylor - but I think there is an outside chance of him surviving the early onslaught, taking McClellan into deep waters and drowning him.

 

I know Pavlik typically walked around at 180 which is fairly common for most middleweights for the last 20 years or so. I think the main reason he was so successful at 160 was his size advantage and strength. He had decent skills but for the most part, his physicality was what set him apart at 160.

 

This would be a firefight. And, Pavlik would get the worst of it. McClellan KO in 5.

 

Well what was the average middleweight walking around at in 1970, or 1980 I suppose would be the question.

 

Ya' reckon he's better then a Lausse or Florentino Fernandez, or not?

 

For me No but that's just my opinion

 

If Pavlik could weather the early storm I favour him he had good stamina and could definitely go 12 rounds at a hard pace McClellan is an unknown quantity in that regard.

The issue is Pavlik was very hittable and I can't get that 2nd round vs Taylor where Pavlik was all over the place out of my head.

It's pretty simple though either McClellan finishes Pavlik within the first 4 rounds or Pavlik weathers the early storm and wins a decision.

I'd probably give McClellan the edge overall but by no means a certainty McClellan's whole resume is based on beating a shopworn Jackson even if he did look good with some of his other early KO's.

 

I think Pavlik is the more reliable pick.