Is Kelly Pavlik still in his prime?

Again, who has, recently?

So...why not Kelly?

 

I really have no idea where this "past prime" bull**** comes from. A weight drained, half dead, Pavlik did better against Martinez than any other middleweight. Since the loss KP has logged 29 rounds over 4 fights, and won 26 or 27 of those rounds. Three of the four opponents tasted canvass at least once. I could understand the "past prime" theory if Kelly had struggled with Rosinski, but he didn't. He calmly and patiently dominated the guy, and Rosinsky has the exact style that people claim Pavlik can't cope with. The whole thing makes me just do this::desk

 

No one has recently and honestly in and around 168 I don't think anyone really can.

But there are others who have fought more regular than Pavlik and at a higher level that are more deserving at a shot.

Now I don't think any of the other contenders will do much if any better than I expect Pavlik will but they are more deserving none the less.

 

Who are these "others?"

And who among these "others" is available for early 2013?

 

Well Oosthiuzen and Stevenson are more deserving.

Are they available for early 2013 don't know to be honest.

 

His prime was maybe 2005-2008, somewhere? :conf His best was very good. But he's still a solid pro after the alcohol abuse, damage in the ring and injury troubles. A good 168-pound name, and though he's rightfully a big, big underdog, there's nothing wrong with Ward taking him on. It's Ward's show. The only major titles he doesn't hold in his division are held by two guys he took wide decisions over. Ward can essentially do as he pleases. And he could certainly do worse than Kelly Pavlik. But, anyone who thinks Pavlik is in his prime is deluded or ignorant.

 

And pavliks best win was over Taylor, who lost to froch, who lost to Kessler, who got dominated by ward. Pavlik hasn't faced anyone nearly as good as ward. Ward could end this fight via cuts or ref stoppage inside 6 rounds

 

I realize Ward had his elbows in Froch's face quite a bit. Froch didn't seem inclined to return the favor. When space opened up he got tagged, why would he open up space? :think





Froch looked like a whipped puppy, beginning to end.

 

What lineal titles did they hold? Crap, what world titles did they hold? Proboxing. Bringing money = deserving.

 

Just coming into it. Much stronger, hits harder, more skilled. -- especially his left jab & left hook. Now, will Ward fight him or run for his life.

 

A < B < C = idiot.

But let's play that game. Pavlik pretty much ruined Taylor but the only reason Taylor lost to Froch was Taylor's idiot corner telling him he needed a KO to win. If Taylor fights smart in the last round Carl might not have even made it into the tourney.

 

I made the point earlier. Opponents think they know going in that Kelly is heavy handed. Afterwards they almost always admit he hits harder than they thought. Kelly has always had a decent mid-range game. Garcia is teaching him an inside game. That leaves the outside but Kelly has reach on Ward. It could be a very interesting night.

 

Well - I think you missed my point. Ward has not fought a single opponent who knew how to use his shoulders and forearms to create space when he wanted it. Nor has he faced an opponent who has a good lead right to capitalize on the 20 or 30 times that Ward will reach in from to far out with his jab to the body.

In addition, Ward's most difficult opponent was Darnell ****ing Boone! That says a lot about how good the pack at 168 really is. Of course, the Boone fight was quite awhile back, so some may want to ignore it. Okay, let's talk about Bika and Froch. Each of those fights ended with Ward battered, bleeding, and exhausted. Ward won those fights wide on the cards, but he got beat up doing it. I don't give a rat's ass about what all these Ward fanatics say. A strong and aggressive fighter who is fundamentally better than Bika or Froch by just 10-15% puts Ward to sleep.

 

I was just making a counter point really. Froch didn't seem to want to open space cuz it was always bad for him. Nothing he did worked and he just looked beaten from the start. You could see it on his face.

 

He's in his pint prime.