pavlik is definitely going to be more fun to watch than taylor. i'd like to see him face AA though so there can be no debate about how is number 1 in the middleweight division. i don't think he should move up to SMW for a few years yet, unless hes struggling to make weight.
I think most people respect his power and heart, but he is going to come undone eventually. Abraham would be a good fight that I'd expect him to come through, but after that there is little left for him in the MW division. He'll get a hammering off Calzaghe and Kessler I fear.
I too saw some of those "off the backfoot abilities" in the Taylor fight where he changed gears a bit and actually was outboxing Taylor. Landing jabs and covering nicely. Althought the judges didn't seem to see them that way. That ability to make changes really surprised me. If he develops that skillset I think he could be extremely difficult for anybody. I'd like to see him completely can the showboating thing. I think when he fights a nonstop forward fight he could be had by a classic counterpuncher who had some whiskers but those are rare traits and would give anyone problems. I don't think his defense is all bad but you're right he could use a little more head movement. One trait that I like is he's a finisher. That's a skill that will serve him well.
I know! and not one anti-english element to the post at all, Dunky must've been sober *Dunkster, you know I only jest
First off, Pavlik is not hyped. He learned his trade with no fanfare whatsoever apart from a hometown fight with Lenoard Pierre which drew a good home crowd. Taylor's move to the top was cosmetic; Pavlik got there through gritty performances vs Zuniga, Zertuche, Miranda and Taylor. Learned how to fight in his own time and took his shot when he was ready. Taylor was hyped - he got a title shot because he scored a KO on a Hopkins undercard and had an Olympic medal. Pavlik was reluctantly given HBO dates; Miranda was the prefered man to face Taylor (see HBO build up). My thoughts on Pavlik - awesome will, stamina and power. Terrific punch repertoire. He's a rare Yank that I root for. Needs to polish up & grow into the title and - as Arum says - fight 4 times a year. I don't accept that he's technically inept. Look at his solid boxing in rd 1 vs Taylor and look how, in the 7th, he found his rhythm and beat Taylor with long jabs & rights. He's got to start relying on the jab a bit because it's a snappy jab and in all honesty I want to see him in the game a long time. With his size and reach you'd have to say few ppl are totally safe against him. Take some tune ups on network TV, have an optional defense vs Duddy, cash in with lucrative bout with either Taylor rematch or Mora and close next year by taking on Abraham. Pav's in good hands - Arum promoted Toney and McCallum (though he maybe over promoted Toney and undersold McC)... Pavlik & Abe in the same division will be like Julian Jackson/Nigel Benn/Gerald McClellan. Lot to learn but he can be a good super middle, maybe even a title holder though probably not lineal champ.
