Lateral movement. Kelly doesnt need to have awesome footwork or an impenetrable defence. Instead he needs to throw that one-two from angles when his opponent is not just standing there waiting to be hit. Improved sideways movement would obviously add to his defence and allow him to slip more punches but it would also open up many shots which he just doesnt throw at the moment. Boo - you mentioned he doesnt throw the left hook enough. I agree, but I think the reason is because he cant create the angle regularly enough. He cant throw a left hook off his one-two because he stands too square on. If he had a little more lateral movement then following the right hand he could slip every so slightly to his left and open up a gap for the left hook. I think this would make a massive difference for Kelly going forward. He's still young though so plenty of time to improve, but I think he needs to get under someone else's wing other than Jack Leob (spelling?).
Kelly said it was all about lateral movement and distance ( feet movement) in the post-fight interview. Hopkins said it was about bending knees a little bit and focusing not so much on heavy leather. I say Pavlik would have to fight taller and box longer, that's it.
This is a good post Paddy. The "left hook - lateral movement" theory is on the money. He needs to improve that -- get better at closing with a hook. I'd also like to see him learn to use lateral movement in conjuction with a lead left hook. Many times BHop would have ran right into that ****. That would make a guy think twice about movement to his own right!
In a nutshell, he needs to round out his technique. He needs to learn how to bend at the knees and at the waist, how to come up from under with body shots, and at least some marginal ability to fight while backing up. None of these are out of the realm of his learning. Has he changed his trainer yet? That's the first and most important step. The guy has already taught him all he knows. Get someone on board who knows more than just what the gyms of Youngstown Ohio have to offer.
Every now and then througout the series a dishelved wino version of Jack Leow wanders though the gym muttering "double the ****ing jab."
Hopkins gave Pavlik more advice in their brief little conversation together than Pavlik's trainer did all 12 rounds.
Believe it or not, as inadequate as I think Jack Leow is, I would not sack him. He raised Kelly from child to champion. They've been together since before Kelly's first amature fight when KP was 9 years old. Jack is an important part of Pavlik's support system. I think taking that away would be a bad idea. Obviously it's not up to me, but if it was, I would cut Miguel Diaz lose from most of his other duties with Top Rank, and assign him almost exclusively to Team Pavlik. He is a lot more observant and more knowledgable than Leow. On at least two occasions fights turned on Miguel's advice. If Diaz were to play a more active roll in fight preperation, and general training, I think Kelly would get what he needs, and he's another guy that has been with Kelly for a long time. He almost always works the corner.
I think somebody touched upon a key point. I have big reservations about Jack Loew. I am not convinced at all that he can take Kelly Pavlik onto the next level. I don't think he really offered Pavlik the correct advice in the corner, so how can he realise what Kelly needs to do to get better? I would dump him, but I don't think he will. I think he's a bit soft, and very much one to stick with his roots. Boo, What do you think about Jack Loew - should he stay or should he go?
atsch I am not too familiar with Mr Diaz's work I must say. If what you say is true with Loew being important from a mental support aspect, there would surely be an opportunity to keep him a motivation type role. He could still be part of the team, if he could swallow his pride and let a new man come in. Whether that be Diaz as head trainer, or somebody else.
again as i have said before your right loew has been with pav since he was 10..did u ever think being close to kelly that jack as well as kelly couldnt understand what was going on in his last fightand was concerned for kelly..u people make me sick right away get rid of the trainer..kelly will never get rid of loew, loew brought him this far...thats the first mistake that people like u and certain fighters do get rid of the trainer..kelly loses 1 time and so now u have to get rid of ur trainer..think back on how many have done that and how many went down hill from there...i dont think it matters to all of u fake fans but it does to kelly...and why i say fake fans because some of u were up kellys ass before his fight and talking great about his trainer and oh well he lost one fight and now theres a different tune..thats the difference between a real fan and a fake
Diaz is also the one who told Kelly to throw a lead right up under McKart's elbow; poor Bronco was on his hands and knees struggling to breathe, and never recovered. Great call from Diaz. And remember after the 3rd round of the first Taylor fight? Miguel was screaming at Kelly: "Kelly, Kelly, don't just go and throw. Measure with the jab, measure." After that the fight turned from a pier 6 brawl to something a bit more tactical, and KP took over. Diaz is very perceptive, and a long time member of Team Pavik. I would highly favor a more active roll for him.