I don't think Kelly was that bad last night. After a few rounds he started to figure out Sergio's rhythm and took a large chunk of the middle rounds. Once Sergio cut Kelly and started to be more aggressive he lost confidence and his work rate slowed considerably. I think the most telling part about Pavilk's state of mind right now was his between rounds therapy sessions. I'm not sure if anyone has confirmed this but it sure sounded like Kelly wanted to throw in the towel at certain points, or at the very best - was looking for a confidence boost. Pre Hopkins, Kelly seemed like one of the most mentally tough fighters out there. Pavlik/Taylor I is evidence of this as he picked himself off the canvas to score a sensational KO late in the fight. Pavlik, pre-Hopkins fights much much harder in the later rounds when Serigo brings the heat. We didn't see that last night and that was disappointing. Thoughts?
No. Pavlik only looked far better because of what was in front of him, he never fought slick fighters. Pavlik fed on fighters coming forward with little to no defense, where he could have success come to him, instead of going and looking for it. Martinez is the type of guy you need to go for, Pavlik needs someone going for his head, to succeed. Pavlik is a pre-programmed 1-2 type of puncher, if he doesnt touch the opponent with his initial jab, he's not going to be successful.
I agree with a lot of what you say, but I just think the fight was taken out of him last night in the late rounds, whereas pre-hopkins he might have layed it all out there.
No, I think Pavlik improved quite a bit. Pavlik pre Hopkins might have gotten shut out but he found a way to win some rounds in the middle of the fight. I'm not one to blame the outcome of fights on cuts but prior to the cut the momentum was strongly in Pavliks favor, after the cut it swung drastically. The cut was caused by a punch, its a part of boxing and Pavlik needs to learn how to fight through adversity becuase he looked like he was ready to quit. I still think Pavlik would kick the living **** out of Williams.
Pavlik needs a new trainer for sure. He threw a lead right one time. It landed. Why wouldnt Jack Lowe tell him to try some lead rights. That is how Martinez was able to beat him. He only had to watch for the Jab making it easy to move and he didn't need to be kept honest to much. Every round I was hoping Lowe would give him specific instructions but it never happens
but i wonder if they even try to focus on improving his foot work, which can be done.... also he threw all jabs and straight rights alll night....i dont recall seeing any hooks or uppercuts in this fight.... i think loew has taken him as far as he could
Well said. It's been puzzling to see so many Pavlik supporters (no reason to stop liking the guy, he didn't fight like a ***** or anything) keep harping on the cuts, and saying that "if Pavlik hasn't been cut he would have won." As if the cuts were caused illegally or something. Those cuts were all caused by effective punches, so if people want to think Pavlik could win if he wasn't cut you have to complete that line of logic by saying Pavlik would have won if Martinez would have stopped punching him in the face. That's part of boxing. Pavlik has fought with plenty of guts in the past, but he attempted to quit a few times in that fight. Right after that absolute beating he took in the 9th round, he came back to the corner and told Jack Loew something I couldn't make out. Loew responded by asking "don't say that!" Kelly then said, and I made this out perfectly, "I'm gonna' get knocked out." Then Loew covered his face with the towel and talked him into continuing with the fight. He tried again after the 1oth round. Fighting on when you want to quit certainly takes courage, and Kelly deserves some respect for sticking in there when he wanted out. I've even seen a few Pavlik fans say that he won 6 rounds and won the fight with the knockdown. Listen, support your favorite fighter, but when that favorite fighter readily admits he lost, give it up already. I had Martinez winning that fight 9 rounds to 3, so 9 points to 4 after the knockdown. I can definitely see someone scoring it closer than I did, but I can't imagine anyone thinking Pavlik beat Martinez last night. Martinez not only thoroughly outboxed Pavlik last night, but he also beat the hell out of him, leaving him a bloody and beaten mess. I don't know if it's the confidence issues after the Kopkins drubbing, Pavlik finally hitting the point in his life where his body doesn't want to drain down to 160 anymore, or the rumored trouble with alcohol, or maybe a combination or all three. But I don't think we'll ever see another prime Kelly Pavlik performance against an elite fighter. Seems like he's trapped in a spot like Gatti was in lot long ago, where his body doesn't want to drop down his best and natural weight class, but he doesn't match up well with the bigger boxers a weight division above. I don't think there's anywhere for him to go, and I don't think he has it in him to make the kind of changes necessary to progress and comeback from this loss.
He threw a fair ammount of left hooks that I can recall but a limited number of uppercuts. One uppercut did result in the KD, even if he held Martinez's head still to land it. Someone mentioned lead rights, but when have you seen him throw a lead right? Perhaps a new trainer could help with that I guess. Martinez was there to be timed but that really isn't his game either, he figured him out a bit but was never able to land any real significant punches, then Martinez took over again. A new trainer couldn't hurt but I don't know how much that would help at this stage of his career. Perhaps 5-6 years ago maybe but now he is what he is.
168 is loaded with guys that would give him fits. Kessler is a similar fighter but more athletic overall with quicker hands. Dirrell and Ward forgetaboutit. Abraham could be an interesting fight becuase Kelly does control distance well and he could keep Abraham in his shell long enough to win on activity. Williams is an elite fighter that I think he would beat right now but it doesn't look like that fight is going to happen. I think he would beat Froch as well. I had the same card as Lederman.
He always seemed mentally tough because even in his toughest challenges he was always the one in control. I don't buy that Hopkins ruined him mentally. He was visibly frustrated throughout the early rounds by Martinez's speed and in-and-out efficiency, and throughout the later rounds by Martinez's adjustment and resurgent aggression. Any version of Pavlik would have experienced the same frustration in these circumstances. He's not a milquetoast by any means. That he came back to dominate a few rounds is a testament to his mental toughness, but he's a nut that can be cracked. If the fight being fought isn't his fight, it's not in him to accept it with aplomb and change his stripes.
