Stop calling for Pavlik to go to SMW

It's pretty simple, there is more prestige and money in beating Joe Calzaghe than a club fighter like John Duddy

After Taylor, Abraham is the only worthwhile opponent for him

 

if people stop saying Pavlik is one of the best p4p fighters in the world, then people will stop calling for him to move up to a real challenge.

MW is weak, even with Taylor.

 

Id like to see him wherever he would fight his best. For the Pantera fight he was in the sauna for hours to make weight. Hmight just be better at 168.
But that said, if he can make 160 and it not impair his abilities, then I by all means agree ... total unification followed by a bunch of defences...with a move to 168 maybe a bit later( before to late ) to try for a 2 weigh champion.

 

Pavlik could fight Abraham at middle after Taylor. Then he can move to 168, knowing he beat the best that 160 had to offer. If he stays at 160 for too long, he's gonna miss out on some bigger and better paydays and fights.

 

True, but you get hit harder too.

 

Pavlik is the one that said he was going to move soon to 168.

 

Earlier in Kelly's career he fought above 160 numerous times. In fact he has fought as low as welter and as high as LHW. Of the 3 guys who went the distance 1 was a LHW (6 rounds) one was a MW (6 rounds) and 1 was a Junior MW (8 rounds.) The last time somebody went the distance against Kelly was November 27th 2004. Ross Thompson, 26-9-2 (16) is listed as a junoir MW but was 167 on fight night, and lost an 8 round UD by scores of 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73.

I do not know why Pavlik settled in at 160, but I suspect it was because TeamPavlik saw 160 as the weakest division where Pavlik could make the weight, and a good place to win his first world title. He has certainly taken the division by storm. I don't think anyone will deny that.

The Taylor rematch is set for 166 because that was what Taylor's people specified in the original contract. This catch weight doesn't make much sense, unless it was part of a plan that failed to take Pavlik seriously. I think Taylor and Manny assumed JT would KO Pavlik early, JT would vacate the titles at 160, and then "graciously" grant Kelly a rematch provided they fight at the stipulated 166. I think the rematch was supposed to give JT an "easy tune-up" on his way to the full 168. If that was the plan, obviously it back fired!

When I look at the record it doesn't seem like a few pounds one way or the other effects Pavlik all that much. He will fulfill his contractual obligation to JT. After that he will be looking to unify the titles at 160. That is what Kelly said he wants to do, and thus far he has done everything he said he was going to.

Boo

 

I totally agree with you here Kirk, but I don't think KP can make 160 for 4 more years. We're problably looking at closer to 2 years.

Boo

 

Stupid remark, fighters fight for money and titles and more money.
Legacy is good but it does not pay the rent, that is the reality of the sport.
Pavlick could stay at the at 160 and make his mark in weak devision, but that also mean he could toil there in obscurity just as Hopkins did, unless he faces someone with markee value from another weight class as Tito did.
No one is demanding or telling Pavlick he need to move up , but then again boxing is considered piece work and some time you have to go where the money is.
With as week as the middle weight devision is now I doubt Paclick will stay there for long ..

 

Calzaghe and his fans expect EVERYONE to come down or up to his weight while there has been WAY more prestige and MANY more quality fighters throughout his career one weightclass below and one weight class above his.

 

Those days are gone!! The day that major networks like NBC, CBS and ESPN stop giving Boxing prime slots , boxing lost it's nitch.

Boxing in the 80s had more boxing stars, just due to tv exposer now so few good boxer get airplay unless there doing something different , like fighting above or below there weight class ,or landing a fight with a well know marque fighter..

Al in all it hard to carve out a piece of history when no one is watching.