PAVLIK vs. ABRAHAM pushed back yet again, most likely off

Elvin Ayala victim Sergio Mora will be Kelly Pavlik's next opponent, and not in May as Arum originally planned, but in July. Of course Ayala first became the victim of biased judges to get a draw vs. the Latin Fake, then he was introduced to the half hook/half uppercut better known as King Arthur Abraham. Mora is coming from a shutout loss to over the hill Forrest, who somehow lost to the Fake before that (rumors of wild sex with pornstar, who slaps harder than Mora).

But here's the shocker: just like Rubio and Jennings, Mora was turned down by HBO, so Top Rank will go with the... 3... 2... 1... independent Pay Per View! :happy :happy :happy

Bob Arum, give us a f*cking break!

The Ring reports nothing on Abraham being part of that card, but it's now pointless: such an event, even a double-header would generate like 50-70k PPV, therefore generating absolutely no viewer interest to Pavlik-Abraham, which is something (building up the fight) Booradley and Arum are shouting for, but talk is very cheap. The sad thing: the last time Pavlik was on free TV (HBO), it was the Lockett mismatch (lowest rating ever at the time), therefore I doubt that the name 'Pavlik' will mean anything to the average viewer in a few month from now... He's off the general public's radar, and that's horrible for his future.

If something is so crap it can't make it even to ShoBox or HBO BAD, what does Bob Arum do?

Pay-per-view! :happy

 

If you are interested in the weigh-in: both Abraham and Simon made the 160 limit for tomorrow's IBF MW title fight. King Arthur weighed in at 159.6, Simon at 157.2, so the fight is ON!


Both fighters look drained.

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That chicken surely had an excellent chin!

So, Abraham won by wide UD, but putting on a C- performance at most, looking horribly drained and running out of stamina quickly. He rocked previously unbeaten, but unknown Simon several times but was sloppy and never had the energy level to finish him off. It is what it is, a very mediocre performance, but what people should realize, that even this version of AA blocked most of Simon's punches, and with very low activity level, scored clean. The Philly fighter surely has a better chin that KP - he took shots that KTFO other opponents, looking better than his record suggests.

The good news here is that Abraham put on this performance with Team Kelly and supporters watching, so they probably think "hell, why shouldn't we pick up that easy $3M or $4M" or whatever the official offer, confirmed by Abraham.

If Top Rank thinks Abraham is THAT bad, why not travel to Germany or have the fight in the US where AA is willing to fight? If Team Pavlik still refuse to fight even this drained, half dead by weight version of King Arthur, for GOOD money, they still suffer in Hopkinsitis... (they probably do, as Sauerland said Top Rank has already refused the offer).



Other news is that Sauerland plans AA's return in the US to face veteran LMW champion, Vernon Forrest, who recently dominated Sergio Mora, KP's next PPV opponent. I say: beating old Forrest or not, Top Rank won't change it's mind, and given how bad Abraham looked, it's time to move up to 168 (he lost 16 pounds in the last few days BTW. Even losing 8 to make 168 would've been serious. No need to kill the body and risk health, Sauerland should realize this). If not, the Forrest fight will be on Showtime Championship Boxing in the summer. I personally think he should move up. He looked awesome at 166 vs. the Miranda who said he finally wasn't drained and felt stronger than ever. But AA wasn't drained either, and look what happened. Abraham is THAT good.

 

Here are a few pictures of a tough fight.

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The most promosing news yet on KP-AA, reported by The Vindicator:

Pavlik’s manager, Cameron Dunkin, confirmed late Monday night that the Pavlik camp has been in discussions with IBF champion Arthur Abraham for a possible October or November matchup, provided both fighters win their upcoming bouts.

“We’ve been talking,” said Dunkin. “I’ve talked to Mike [Pavlik Sr.] and Kelly and they’re both fine with the fight.

“But there’s nothing done and it’s a long way from being done.”

Pavlik’s promoter, Bob Arum, told The Ring magazine that the two camps have an agreement in principal to fight, probably in New York on either Showtime or HBO.

Pavlik, the WBO and WBC champion, is expected to make his third title defense this summer against former WBA light middleweight champion Sergio Mora in Atlantic City.

Abraham, who is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Lajuan Simon on March 14, is expected to fight sometime later this summer.

Those bouts would be tune-ups for a fall showdown — November is the more likely month, Dunkin said — between the two top fighters in the middleweight division.

Felix Sturm, who holds the WBA middleweight crown, is considered the third-best fighter in the division.

Abraham has only fought once in the United States — he knocked out Edison Miranda last June in Miami — and does not have a high profile among American fight fans. Consequently, Arum told The Ring he would not pursue a pay-per-view bout.

“Talks are going on right now. It’s going to happen. Kelly has definitely signed off on it, and Abraham wants it too,” said Arum.

After Abraham’s win over Simon, he told reporters he wanted to fight Pavlik before moving up to super middleweight. Pavlik has repeatedly said he’d like to unify the titles and would like to fight Abraham.

:happy

I told you so. Abraham only had to look beatable and bad, and the fight is ON! :hi:

 

HBO should push now for a summer Pavlik/Abraham double-header. They weren't interested in the Mora mismatch, but Forrest has a name and Abraham is on HBO's radar, and I think Forrest, Pavlik, Mora and Abraham on the same show could generate good ratings. Also, HBO should realize if they don't push for the KP-AA fight, Showtime might steal the show. A little investment, same for Arum and Sauerland, and we could have a nice summer build-up show for the big one.

What do you think, any chance of this?