There isn't a big difference between Pavlik today, and Pavlik in 2007. He lost a fight to the man who is currently the best LHW in the world. Kelly had a serious elbow injury and a bad case of bronchitis. Without those issues he would have performed much better. BHop may have still beat him, but it definitely would have been a better fight. Pavlik was just ten days removed from his first stay at Betty Ford when he fought Martinez. He only had about half a training camp, and he damn near killed himself making 160. He still won 5 rounds. The Lopez fight was a really ugly affair. Lopez seemed more interested in running, posing, and clinching than he did in fighting. It took KP 3 or 4 rounds to get going, but there is nothing unusual about that. Had it been a 12 round fight Lopez would not have seen the final bell. Pavlik plans to fight one more time before he takes on Bute. They're looking at August 20th for a date. Right now they are looking for an appropriate southpaw.
Why? I really don't think the difference is as big as people claim it is. Consider styles. Zertuche, Miranda, Taylor, and Lockett were tailor made for Pavlik. Kelly always looks good when he has an opponent who will stand and fight. Martinez never stops moving. He skitters all over the ring. Virtually no one looks good against Hopkins. Lopez looked like he memorized the Hopkins/Pavlik fight. I think people are judging Pavlik without giving a 2nd thought to styles.
You may be right, but what about the 168 division? How does that afect him, giving up the advantages he had at 160?
The so called "advantages" at 160 might be a bit exaggerated. I can only think of one fight Kelly won where being a better bully was the major advantage. That was Miranda, and he outweighed KP at fight time.
Well one thing's for sure, Pavlik is NO Joppy, Mendy, Magee, Jesse Brinkley, (prv. beaten by Pav) Zuniga, (prv. beaten by Pav) Miranda, etc... So I guess everybody's right. Pav shouldn't even show up.
I am talking about the hight in general and probably the fact that he comes in ring havier than most of his oponents. Don't throw stones, I am debating.
Sorry to bust your bubble Pavlik is in his prime and he still get his ass handed to him 2 years earlier.. pavilik is a bust ...
No excuses Andrade BEAT Bute the first time its so obvious even if Andrade was supposed of have gotten a stoppage not even that could of given Andrade a victory. Bute is very fast, very strong, but if Pavlik can withstand the punishment he might give Bute hell towards the end. Bute has not fought anyone close to even a faded Pavliks caliber while Pavlik has faced better fighters than Bute. Bute should win a SD, but Ill be surprised if he can stop even a faded Pavlik.