Masterful HOPKINS stuns PAVLIK - Poll results & photos & post-fight video

Calzaghe maybe isn't a huge physical force, but he can do more than one thing and adapt to many situations. That's why Hopkins was less and less effective with his great counters as the fight went on, and Calzaghe has a suberb, stunning stamina to keep everything up. Pavik really is a force working behind his jab but Hopkins is not a wall to break throuh, he's a smart old fox, moves very well so very hard to hit, and you really have to give him angles because he takes away the jab excellently.

Even in his very impressive win over Taylor Pavlik took more than 60% of Jermain's power punches and at 185lbs (fight night) Hopkins will land really huge bombs. Whether Pavlik will have a plan B if his usual gameplan (the jab setting everythin up) won't work is the big question for me. Taylor barely beat Hopkins, both fights could've gone in Hops way and two slick boxers gave Bernard legitimate defeats in Jones and Calzaghe. Tito or Tarver never came close beating him, they were too predictable and never had a plan B. Pavlik better have one...

 

Back to the trainer question: as Roach won't train Hopkins for this one, whom should Bernard pick for the rematch?

Hopkins doesn't really need a good teacher to tell him how to box, but a good strategist is very important in this fight. While Manny Steward never worked together well with Taylor, he still had a few game plans coming into the Pavlik fight and maybe Hopkins can take his advice. Also the Mayweathers are pretty damn good in game plans, maybe Floyd Sr. should train Bernard.

Or should he just team up with the rest of the Execution Squad: Nazim Richardson, John David Jackson and Mackie Shilstone?

 

The official announcement is coming up shortly. There's gonna be a press conference in NY in a few hours. Honestly, I've never expected Team Pavlik to take the Hopkins risk, I'm giving him big credit for them for this one! Also big credit for Hopkins, but I feel he's the one in the win-win situation now. Who can blame him for losing close to 44? But winning would be the perfect ending for his career, especially from the underdog position...

 

Press release makes this fight OFFICIALLY ON!


Fighters' quote:

Kelly Pavlik:
"I am preparing to fight a legend and take him down in his own backyard. Even though I am younger, I know Hopkins is a slick veteran with a bunch of boxing tricks in his bag. I refuse to underestimate him and I know on October 18, he will be ready to fight. I am treating this as if it were a championship match with my plan being to remain undefeated and show the world that I am able to take on any fighter regardless of age, weight or record."

Bernard Hopkins:
"Kelly Pavlik has a heart of a lion but he has no idea what he is in for on October 18. Pavlik might be the latest thing on a fast track to fame, but I am a sure thing and will take this kid to school that night and teach him a lesson he will never forget."

Bob Arum, TR:
"There is no doubt that Bernard Hopkins is a great fighter and was virtually unstoppable in his prime, but Kelly Pavlik is recognizably one of the best fighters in boxing today and he will continue to prove his himself against a legendary fighter like Bernard. This is a tremendous challenge for Kelly on October 18."

Oscar De La Hoya, GBP:
"The match-up between Kelly Pavlik and Bernard Hopkins will be one for the record books. Hopkins has the experience and Pavlik has the desire to prove himself. I am looking forward to seeing Pavlik defend his undefeated record but I know Bernard can rise to the occasion and take down one of boxing’s brightest stars."

 

Nice! Pavlik is a big dude and will be big even at 170!

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