Kelly Pavlik. Is he talented enough to be an all time great?

I'm a huge Kelly Pavlik fan, but, I'd be shocked if he became an all time great.

First, he gets hit too much. And Hard. And while at this stage he appears to recover quickly once he gets hurt, I don't see that lasting.

I was kind of disappointed in the 2nd Taylor fight. He really didn't seem to have much of a plan B. Or maybe he just didn't need one since he could win the fight with his jab.

I also think he is an overachiever. Honestly, I think Taylor has better skills than him, but, Taylor doesn't have Pavlik's heart. (Or a monster right hand)

While a fight with Abraham is my dream fight right now, I think I would actually lean to Abraham to beat him. I also think over the next 2 years we are going to see Pavlik get KTFO'd by someone who will hurt him AND be able to finish him unlike Taylor in their first fight.

That being said, I think he is one of the most exciting fighters to watch in the game today. And while I think it is going to be a short ride for him, I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.

 

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Not with the bums Arum provides to him.

Take on 168-175 - Bute, Andrade AND Calzaghe-Hop winner+Kessler by any means! The problem he can't win them by no means.

 

the ridiculously overused concept of being "over rated" is growing old very quick. Learn to appreciate professional boxers, maybe you should actually try doing it yourself. And then come back and see if your opinion of Pavlik being over rated still stands. :rofl

 

I couldn't agree more, I wish people would just shut up about who they think is over rater and who's ducking who. He's a brave fighter with a big heart, I respect almost anyone who's willing to take physical punishment for our entertainment and someone who commits themselves so fully to it.

 

His defense was much better in Pavlik JT II....I don't think he was ever really buzzed.....

 

For me, he is lacking something. I certainly dont see a future ATG.

He is exciting, which for most guys in this forum is enough to be a legend, but ti takes more, it takes dominance and a great resume to back it all up, I dont think Pavlik has the ability to be that dominant, Abraham is the only obvious challenge to him right now and imo is a 50-50 fight, maybe 60-40 to KP if im being generous, and Artur Abraham definately is no HOFer.

Kelly has talent and will rack up some good wins before his time is up, but ATG? nah...

 

Come on..

 

There was a thread sometime back about the most exciting television fighters ever. One of the most often posted names was Danny "Little Red" Lopez. In many ways Kelly Pavlik reminds me of a giant Danny Lopez:

Insane workrate;
Relys very heavily on workrate and punching ability to win fights;
Fight plan usually predicated on making opponent back up;
Phenomanol KO ratio;
Sometimes fights with a seemingly total disdain for defensive boxing;
Gets knockdown over balance issues, but has a very solid chin;
Suffers knockdowns only to come roaring back and demolish his opponent;
Genuinely humble and likable fan favorite.

It took no less a fighter than one Salvador Sanchez to knock Danny off the top of the featherweight mountain. He is in the hall of fame, but whether or not he is an all time great is arguable. He retired very young, and only held a world title in one division. And yet, he is with out a doubt one of the most beloved and respected fighters of all time.

Pavlik, like Lopez, intends to retire young. He has stated that he would like to get out at around 30. That means that in order to rank among such greats as Hearns, Haglar, and others he would have to accomplish an awful lot in 4 and a half years, and ATG status is a long way off. However, Kelly is a fight fan's fighter, and I suspect he will eventually make the HOF, and that 20 years after his final bout we will still be talking about some of the great shows he put on.

Boo

 

Is he talented enough to be an all time great?

No. I dont think so. A decent champ but not an ATG.

 

HOF maybe. ATG no.
You need great opponents to be an ATG.
He has had arguably 1 in Taylor. If he continues at MW we know the level of competition is not there. If he goes on to 168 where his size wont be a factor anymore i dont see him keeping that 0.
People always talk about his heart and yes he has heart but you need more than that to be an ATG. His size and power is what makes up for his lack of speed and skills at MW. Not the case at SMW.
I do enjoy his fights though and wish him well.