How does a potential match up between Pavlik and Abraham in 08 go if instead of facing Hopkins and Raul Marquez, Pavlik and Abraham fought each other for the lineal and unified IBF, WBO and WBC titles? I personally think Pavlik before losing to Hopkins would be too good for Abraham who had the shorter height and reach. Both have granite chins and monstrous power at 160, so a ko would be unlikely.
Pavlik outworking Abraham for a competitive decision win is just slightly more likely than Abraham stopping Kelly, imo. Taylor hurt Pavlik in their first contest, whilst Abraham wasn't as quick as Jermain, he hit harder, so I wouldn't rule out an Abraham stoppage win, albeit I'd narrowly favour Kelly on points.
I think Greg's take is thoroughly logical but it was one of the sore spots of that time for me, as far as fights that should've happened. I would favour Pavlik and Pavlik is too good for Abraham as it pertains to round by round scoring of punches. It's just that Abraham did carry this bizarre equalizer to his own low work rate and it was both brute strength and a very patient and calculating approach to find the big one. At 168 there was that notoriously impatient incident...but we're talking about 160 here. I believe AA's power and precision were the real deal at this weight. Juuuust like Greg, I think Pavlik more likely outworks him but there's definitely enough intrigue that Pavlik would get absolutely planted or have his bad nose busted into mincemeat or sliced up like a tomato at McD's.
Pavlik is a level above Abraham. ..but I can’t help but think Abraham would stop him. Kelly had good defense for an offensive fighter, and good distance management. But when you come to fight you’re gonna get hit sometimes, and he could be hurt..and he liked to get into a tear when he got hit.. I just think Abraham gets to him eventually, after getting pieced up for a while.
This is one I wanted. Pavlik wins almost every round but might get dropped several times. It's basically the middleweight white boy Pacquiao vs. Márquez I, in my mind.
Would have been an amazing matchup for sure. I think most would be smart to put their money on Pavliks workrate but AA had insane power and was really good at catching guys with counter hooks off of his high guard. What he lacked in hand and foot speed, he made up for with Power and had a very economical fighting style. It would not surprise me at all if he knocked out Pavlik who was very hittable and could get sloppy. I don't think AA wins a decision over Pavlik and since Pavlik was never knocked out, I think a UD for Pavlik makes sense but an AA Ko would not surprise me at all. The guy could straight up crack!
