That seems to be the general feeling amongst writers as to why he is fighting Hopkins. I don't mind the hopkins fight, hopefully bernard comes to fight tho. Anyways, I disagree that he has "few options" and that bernard is the best one... I think Pavlik can fight any1 at weights between 158-170 lbs. That's very reasonable (as of now). -If undefeated Adrian Diaconu drops from 174.5 lbs to 170 lbs, that's a possible match. For those who say he couldn't do it, I say $$$$ is a great motivator. And when "somebody's 0 has got to go" it is an extremely marketable fight. -Joe Calzaghe (after RJJ fight) -RJJ (after calzaghe fight) -Chad Dawson (after Tarver fight) -Antonio Tarver (after dawson fight) -Mikkel Kessler (would be a great fight) -Lucian Butte (somebody's 0 has got to go) -Arthur Abraham (great matchup) -Sergio Mora (very marketable fight if mora remains undefeated) -Antonio Margarito (margarito's frame could handle another 10 lbs and these 2 guys are 2 of the biggest names in the sport right now) THAT'S 10 LEGITMIATE OPTIONS. Any of these fights have/had the potential to come to fruition. Any of these fights are true EVENTS, in which legacies are on the line and thrills aplenty. Thoughts?
Pavlik has a lot of options, especially after his next fight IF he wins it. As a matter of fact, if he comes out victorious he will have two MAJOR options which many will pressure him for, he will have both Calzaghe(if he beats Jones) and Abraham(if he beats Marquez) which are already two really huge options. Not to forget all the names you mentioned already and I will add some of the guys at Middleweight to that list as well since there is a good chance he will have to move down after his fight with Hopkins(if he wins) if he doesn't decide to fight Calzaghe. Though his fight with Hopkins is a clear sign he's getting ready for a possible fight with Calzaghe and is treating Hopkins, Calzaghe's recent opponent, as a tune-up.
If i would like to see Pavlik with someone it would be in this order 1) Calzaghe 2) Arthur Abraham 3) Hopkins Hopkins is not totally washed up as he is being perceived as, I dont think Margarito and Sergio mora would want Pavlik anytime soon, and Lucian Bute is a Dangerous one at the moment, and aint as BIG as the others in terms of making money If people stop ducking Froch, then maybe Carl Froch vs Pavlik
Its a shame the f'n expectations being placed on this kid. Y'all are throwing out all these light heavyweights out there for him to fight. I just wish Arum would let him stay at 160 and try to unify the titles. The guy is middleweight champion of the world. Never before have I seen a middleweight champion, whose highest fighting weight was 164 in the Taylor rematch, asked to jump up and fight a bunch a guys two weight classes above him! Its really not fair to Pavlik, especially having to keep jumping up to SMW-Lt. Heavy and slimming down to 160 for a title defense. Just let the man be middleweight champ and move up when he feels his body is ready! Its getting f'n ridiculous and I have the feeling that his career is gonna be shortened because of it.
a fight now is where he has no options. of course he has options after all those names you mentioned fight there fights. Abraham is fighting some bum so, he wants to stay active and hopkins is the most money out there along with the biggest risk.
Pavlik is EXTREMELY skinny...His frame can handle a lot more weight. In one of the countdown episodes for JT vs. KP he alluded to his difficulties making 160 and the strain it has taken on him. He was fighting at 155 when he was 18! He's moved up only 5 pounds...He can go a good amount further, particularly with his slender build. For perspective, RJJ started at 150 lbs when he was 20 years old...When he was 27, he moved up all the way to consistently fight at 170.
He does have a lot of options. However, when you then take into account his and Arum's criteria for opponents he still has a lot of options Unfortunately for us they are either Joe Calzaghe's leftovers or cans from the middleweight division.
As said above Hopkins is where the money is at, only prob with that Hopkins is tough to look good against even at his age still can have an ugly fight. He was hugging Calzaghe in their fight, I hope Pavlik will be prepared for that.
Pavlik does have a lot of options but he has to stay at super middle or lightheavy for almost all of them. Abraham is his biggest fight at middle, maybe Winky but I don't know where Winky is going to fight at. Above 160 he has Calzaghe, Jones, Trinidad, Kessler, Tarver, Dawson, Lacy, Bute, a third Taylor fight, a Hopkins rematch if all goes well,and so on. With all those big money options don't expect the middleweight champion to hang around much longer if ever again.
Out of all the fighters you listed, I think fights with Calzaghe, Abraham and Mora are the only ones that have a legit chance of being made anytime soon. I think Mora will lose to Forrest in the rematch. So that leaves only Calzaghe and Abraham. I would love to see either fight.
His highest fighting weight is 170 not 164. Jesus!!! I get tired of repeating this. Pavlik has fought at or above the SMW limit 5 times, and every one of those fights ended in a quick KO.