Kelly Pavlik boxing hero or boxing bust?

There was once a great fighter who the critics said would never be an elite level combatant. He had 3 losses before he ever won a world title, and he lost in his first attempt to become a champion. At age 26, with 4 losses on his resume', he finally captured a title. Later he moved up in weight and lost a fight he should have won. His hand and foot speed was mediocre at best, and he always had trouble with slick boxers. He eventually dominated 3 divisions, and became the first fighter to succesfully defend world titles in 3 divisions. If this story sounds familiar it's because I am talking about Alexis Arguello!

I think this story illustrates an important point, and the point is this: In the over all scope of a career, one loss to a great opponent means diddly-****

 

:yep

 

The bottom line is that Kelly Pavlik proved himself as a very solid fighter pre-Hopkins. That loss need not haunt him to a great extent. He can continue to pick up big wins against most fighters. He lost to a legend who put on a masterclass. He's got lots of time and lots of big fights to redeem himself with. He still beats most people.

 

People keep moaning about if he is "damaged goods". atsch If this fight had happened at 160 to a fully healthy Kelly, that might be a legit concern. He knows he went up a step too far and was less than 100%. The haters can argue the health issue all they want, but Kelly knows the truth of that situation, they don't. I say he comes back in this fight and possibly raises Lockett's stock a bit. I've watched that fight a few times are really shake my head at the Lockett haters. Lockett took one in the first round that really was the beginning of the end but the man kept coming. Used his wits to stay in it as long as he could.

 

Now Pavlik is special one fight is thought of as to definitive to ever be very significant in a "Glaringly" apparent world. I've always been amazed at how people can look at a fight an take it for everything "candy bars for sale" to discount everything Pavlik suggests that people saw nothing incredible in Pavlik before WOW! This is more than just for fun than I think sometimes.:rasta

 

I disagree to an extent. With Kelly's style and skillset he typically needs to be the bigger man so yes, going up in weight did hurt him because he met a bigger man and a better technician in Bernard Hopkins.

Give B-Hop credit for coming in as motivated as he did after losing to slappy-joe. He once again proved to everyone that he is an ATG.

 

Please read what I wrote and try again. Your answer says NOTHING to the point I made.

 

I dont think he has to be the bigger man as Miranda was a chiseled freak when he fought Kelly. However, he will always struggle, like most fighters, with someone who is bigger and a better technician. There is no shame in going up in weight and losing to Bernard Hopkins. Too many people nowadays act like one loss is the end of your career. Its stupid and its also a huge reason that people protect their ****ing "0". That is why I respect fighters like Pavlik, Cotto, Clottey, Hopkins... These guys WANT to fight the best out there.

Edit: ****, surely I cant leave Sugar Shane, JMM, Vasquez or Marquez off that list!

 

I guess my point is now you can't read.