My review of Kelly Pavlik for those who have not seen him more than once.

My review of Kelly Pavlik.

Pavlik is the middleweight champion, currently 34-0, with 30 knockouts. His sudden rush from relatively obscurity to the champion of the middleweight division has caught the boxing world by surprise in a good way.

Prior to 2007, only the hard-core boxing fans knew who Pavlik was. Today, he might be the next star in a sport badly in need of a torch carrier.

But how god is Pavlik? Will be he an ATG, a solid champion, or shooting star?

I have seen Pavlik vs three different opponents. Here’s my review on him.

Size: Pavlik is perhaps the biggest ranked middle weight I ever saw. At 6’2” ½ inches tall, Pavlik is taller than your average heavyweight. His listed reach of 75” is better than average for a middle weight as well. Unlike 90% of the fighters below heavyweight. Pavlik actually fights at his weight. He does not need to struggle to make 160 thanks in part to a very low body fat. I doubt he ever fight a man who looks larger than he does at the middle weight limit. Grade A+

Power: Pavlik is one of the best punchers I have seen at middle weight in a long time. He is the lone man to stop Marinda and Taylor. While Pavlik doesn’t have rare one punch KO power like say Tommy hears did at welter weight or Bob Foster at light heavyweight, he certainly hits hard with either hand. Grade A-

Skills on offense: Pavlik can throw every punch in the book. He goes to the body or head equally well. All of his punches seemed well placed and mostly accurate. Pavlik is a rare combination puncher with power, with a knack to strike where the guard isn’t. Pavlik’s cross and hook are a bit better than his jab. Grade A-

Skills on defense: If Pavlik has a weakness, this is it. Pavlik is not that hard to hit, but part of that is due to his attack-oriented style that features non stop punching. Still Pavlik can be hit in the middle of the ring, and due to his punch out put might be vulnerable to counter punchers. Pavlik blocks ok, but at his height he isn’t going to be ducking many punches. His head movement is average.When hurt, Pavlik seems to know how to clinch well enough to buy him some time to regain his senses. Grade B-

Hand speed and foot speed: I’ll side with above average. Pavlik is neither fast or slow. I lean toward a bit faster than your average middle weight. Grade B

Stamina: Pavlik is one of those fighters who can throw hard punches in bunches and retains his power in the mid to later rounds. I have never seen Pavlik punch himself out, or take breathers in rounds. He can stop a man late. A+

Heart: Pavlik seems to be one of those fighters who enters the ring to win, believes he will win, and is able to over come adversity. He has little fear for exchanges, in fact he welcomes them. This guy likes his job. A+

Chin: As far as I know, Pavlik has only been down once to Taylor. I think he has a good, but not great chin. But it also somewhat untested. Best guess B

Ring Generalships: Pavlik says he studies his opponents well, and forces them to fight his fight, but I think he might be guilty of being too Irish. Sooner or later he’ll press the action a bit too much and risk more than he should. The result will be a knockdown. Grade B+

Overall grade: B+

 

He took flush punches off of one of the hardest hitters p4p today edison miranda. I would say his chin deserves better

 

I want to see a bit more on Pavlik to grade. Tyalor had Pavlik in a bad way and very close to a TKO loss. Durability at heavyweight is a huge issue, but at middle weight, its only an issue.

 

But not as tall as Kingsley Ikeke was (who was also ranked).

 

Thanks for this. I've only seen Pavlik against Taylor (2nd fight) where I wasn't blown away to be honest, although I accept that his style is more functonal than flashy.

He seems to have quite legitimate power though.

 

Looks like an excellent summation to me.

 

Good Mendoza, the man is fast becoming my fave fighter, well one of. SuzieQ said the other day that he may well be the next ATG MW, i think this may be possible, so hard to say though in this sport. Like you, i have seen him a few times also, i like to see all kinds of fighting styles, but i gotta say, it is nice to have a guy like Pavlik as our MW champ, tough as nails and gives it everything, has hart and looks somewhat of a throwback aswell

 

Let's not get carried away just yet, young teeto.

 

Does that extend to comebacking fighters?

 

Inever got carried away, not like i said he was gunna be the next Monzon, just said SuzieQ very possibly could be right.

And he does have a lot of hart and guts, no?

I really dont see how i took that TOO FAR!

 

Thats what im saying, u know i dont listen to half the stuff he says!! But i thought he may have had a point on this one