Kelly Pavlik is only 28 years old. He has time for a come back.

I could still see him fighting Dirrell, Abraham, Green. I do think he can match up well against certain kinds of fighters but he needs to stay away from Ward, Froch and Bute.

 

It amazes me how many ppl just dont realize that age means NOTHING in boxing relative to a fighters prime. Just because Pav is 28 doesnt mean he has years to turn it around. PLENTY of fighters peak early, and are shot by time they reach thier early 30's. Pavlik's style wasnt meant for longevity anyway.

We've already seen the best of him.

 

Obviously I'm not in charge of anything, but if I could make the decisions, I would take the long view, and do something like this:

1; Forget 160 and move up. I am not going to get in to a **** fling about weight drain in the Martinez fight, or whether it was a factor. Pavlik entered camp at 186 pounds. You all saw him at the press conference and in the HBO interview. He looked very good at that weight. One week out from the fight he was 174, he's usually 164-166 at that point. The Wednesday before the weigh in he was still 170, and on the morning of the weigh in he was still 165. He made 160, and then rehydrated to 178. Trying to stay at 160 may very well put his health at risk.

The subject of Pavlik at 168 always brings up an odd contradiction. We get alot of people who claim that if Kelly had any balls, he'd move up where the real competition is, and those same people turn around and claim anybody and everybody would knock him out at 168. I'll offer two facts, and withold my personal opinion. 1) He already has 14 fights above 160. 2) Prior to the start of the super six, 3 of the 6 contestants claimed former Pavlik victims as their best wins. One of the combatants claimed a victim of a Pavlik left over as his 2nd best win.

2) Nazim Richardson. Some time back a reporter ask Nazim what he would change about Pavlik. He said, "I wouldn't change much," and then talked about helping him get better at the things he already does well, tightening up his defense, and cleaning up his footwork. In my opinion some trainers would try to remodel Pavlik and end up with a mess. I thought Nazim nailed it. (I wish I could find the video.)

3) Forget about big money fights. Let him do 3 appearances on Top Rank Live. Find opponents who present stylistic challenges, but aren't terribley threatening. That way he could learn and rebuild his confidence at the same time.

4) Take one more shot at the big time.

 

There's too much talent at 168, he'd get nowhere. I'd actually see him losing against a Bika type fighter.

 

He might beat Andrade, thats about it.

 

dont think so he has not been the same fighter since hopkins beat him

 

It was obvious, even then, what was going to happen to him in the Hopkins fight mate. Pavlik, simply was never that good to begin with.

 

I dont agree Boo. I think KP can still handle any of the other names in the MW division, if he stays there. Listen, he got his arse kicked by Martinez over the last 4 rds of that fight. But going into those last few rds, it was still close. No reason to think that with some adjustments, he can't possibly beat Martinez in a rematch, at the very least make a better showing.

As for moving up to 168, I'd say those are very dangerous waters. There are some guys up there who are mobile and as fast, but pack far more power as well. It would take some clever matchmaking for KP to go far up there.

 

We already know how the butt hurt Clazaghe fans feel. Your input really isn't needed.

 

I tell you what is going to happen, and it does.

You tell me what you dream will happen, and it never does.

If anyone's input isn't needed unless you're looking for illogical nuthuggery, then it's yours.

 

I do not like what I have seen in KP's last couple fights. He has regressed considerably. It may be possible to turn that around or it may not be possible. Only time will tell.

Where a move to 168 is concerned let's assume he could turn things around, and then look at a few facts. Abraham's best wins to date are Miranda and JT. Ward's best win before the tourney was Miranda. Froch's best win was JT. Pavlik handed Taylor and Miranda both their asses before these guys ever got to them. Dirrell had two mediocre wins; Hanshaw and Oganov. Zuniga knocked out Oganov long before Dirrell got to him, and we all know what Pavlik did to Zuniga. Their is simply no logical basis for believing that Pavlik with his head on straight is inferior to the guys in the tournament.

 

Let's not forget that Taylor gave Pavlik fits before stamina got the better of him.

 

pavliks defense is leaky so even though he won most of his fight he took some good shots, befor eventually winning by ko. pav and miranda were trading bombs for some time taylor damn near ko him in rd 2 of the first fight. so when u say he is young he is not gonna age gracefully like bhop or other slick fighters. so i really dont think pav has that much left maybe a yr or so. if he stays at 160 maybe he will get another title shot but if he moves up his career will end sooner than later. i hate to say it cause he still is my favorite fighter.

 

JT gave Froch fits for 11 rounds, so, seriously, what is your point?

 

Froch is crap. He'd level out against Pavliks except that Froch probably has more pop in his hands and a better chin. Others in the division are superior... Ward, Bute, Kessler..