Kelly doesn't get hit with clean punches nearly as much as people seem to think. Sho replayed a combo to point out how Lopez was getting to him only to have the replay show 3 whiffs and a glancing blow that Kelly turned with. Kelly needs to be at his distance and his defence is geared to that. He picks way more off with his gloves than most people seem to realize. He also doesn't mind getting hit with shots that don't hurt him because that means he is in range. He has always been like that. He comes to fight.
I'm pretty sure Kelly is suffering from tattoo ink poisoning. It is a real phenomena. Just google it.
Dirrell was a changed fighter after the point deduction against Froch. We have to see if it continues. Strange how you can point to that one instance as a turning point. It forced his hand and I think he realized he was capable of it.
Not being a smart ass, just don't get what you mean, it's probably me confusing your meaning, care to elaborate?
Long day. After Dirrell was nicked for the point in the Froch fight it lit a fire under him. He came on strong and and took it to Froch. I think he realized something about himself in that moment. It carried over to the Abraham fight.
They don't need to use the Hopkins blueprint to beat him, Hopkins was obviously old and couldn't keep throwing only to risk getting tired. He had so many openings these younger fighters could keep it up more than Hopkins and eventually get the stoppage. Ward and Dirrell decision him for sure, the slick fighters would throw enough to outpoint him and bank rounds. Froch and Kessler would look for a stoppage and exchange more. Bute is a tricky fight, if Bute doesn't run out of gas he has this in the bag as well. I'm not sure Pavlik will have any power in him by the time he runs out of gas so Bute outpoints him easily and clearly as well.
Absolutely I agree, I think people underestimate how unproven and how young he was at that point. That was a big stage for a kid, and I think the dude is the real deal, as he showed in the later stages of the Froch fight, and definitely in the AA fight.
ALL THIS IS BEING SAID IF PAVLIK STAYS ON TOP OF TRAINING AND STAYS ACTIVE FIGHTING EVERY 4-5 MONTHS Most Fighters dont really want to exchance with pavlik! Hopkins For instance, NOT TAKING ANYTHING AWAY FROM HIM he is a Vet And does what he has to do to win.. He just Made Kelly his Punching bag all night, Staying away from Kellys Power and Out-pointing him, Never really rrying to go for a KO.. Ward/Dirrell Are definite Mismatchs Style wise like Hopkins, As Kelly has Proved all it takes is 1 flush shot (and if killer instinct kicks in) to Hurt you, and finish. Im sure he could do that in another 2-3 fights BUTE- I feel he is Hyped up, hasn't shown ME much, and definitly could get Caught By pavlik, not taking away from his abilitys, he is smooth but has mostly fought in Canada.. This is a winnable fight for Kelly If He gets another W under his belt first, but not RIGHT AWAY! Froch- Great fighter, Same thing though, Most Fights were in the UK, If you watch the Taylor Fight and how he Worked Froch for 11 rds until he ran out of gas. He is WILD, and Kelly could catch him say 6th-7th rd. Kessler- This would Be a brawl, i dont know what to say, it would be a close fight! None of these fighters Would be able to KO kelly IMO, But TKO From Ward/Dirrell Could happen
Wouldn't be surprised if Dirrell picked on Pavlik for his return fight. That would be an embarrasing fight for Pavlik. I don't see him beating any of the top names at 168.