I think Pavlik wouls be the favorite despite of the hype around GGG, and I am a big fan of him. Pavlik had a solid jab which coulp potentially break GGG's offensive rhythm and prevent him from getting into the fight. He would have a good reach advantage which would make it additionally harder for GGG to get to him. Also he definately had enough pop in his hands to prevent GGG from just walking through his shots to set up his own bombs. I think overall Pavlik should be favored to take a UD, so far GGG showed no issues with his chin and he seems like a fighter with a high ring iq so that he wouldn't just run into Pavlik's punches. I think that these factors make it unlikely that Pavlik could knock him out. Despite being the favorite, there are still risks for Pavlik. He always had a tendency to brawl it out, to outtough his opponent. He would need to avoid that at all costs against GGG. If he stays in GGG's distance, he would actually get knocked out in the later rounds of the fight. GGG is very accurate with his punches with very good power and he throws his punches with an ATG like technique to maximize their power. GGG just has the "eye" to see openings presented to him and the skill to profit from them. I do not think that GGG in his current form will be beaten by an offensive minded boxer, GGG's combination of offensive footwork, accuracy and power and his ability to see and gain advantages from potential openings would be their undoing. If GGG will be beaten, it will either be from a fighter who has the tools to fight the fight at their distance (like Pavlik) or from a fighter who fights without giving much openings to the opponent, a defensive minded fighter, for example Ward.
Jesus what a daft match-up one of the best middleweights of the last 25 years against pavlik a overrated over hyped plodder
This is a more reasonable fight than the overmatched historical battles being made. This would have been a war. I could see it going the distance based on both men having really good chins (but fairly mediocre defensive skills). Both men hurt multiple times and Pavlik winning on points. Could go either way though. Love (no homo) to watch both of these guys fight. PS: I speak of a prime Kelly Pavlik. Not the current one.
Pavlik's chin was not that great. He was dropped by Taylor and out on his feet. He was also dropped by Zuniga. It wasn't glass or great. My guess is that if Taylor and Zuniga could hurt him, Golovkin could KO his ass. I'm not sure this comes down to chins though, the guys who gave Pavlik problems were movers (Hopkins, Taylor, Martinez). GGG doesn't move like those guys, he is more of a stalker. I feel like Pavlik would have early success, maybe even bust Golovkin up a bit. But once GGG finds the range in the middle rounds, he would KO Pavlik cold.
I'd favour GGG because in general I think Pavlik is slightly over-rated and his style would probably suit Golovkin.
This is a fight Pavlik can take. Pavlik has the length and style to win and I don't know why people give GGG so much credit when he hasn't beaten anyone. I've never seen a boxer so hyped since... Adrian Broner.
Pavlik gets demolished and drinks himself into another coma after he wakes up and is told he was KOed.