......so we are criticizing Winky for wanting this fight "he hasn't won a relevant fight in years, blah blah blah"....and we are appluading Kelly Pavlik's TKO5 over Miguel Espino
Winky was bitching about the money. Guys want a lot of money to have Pavlik beat them up. Can't blame them can you?
Winky's done a lot in this sport, Im sure Arum was asking for the lion's share and a guy like Winky is not havin it
I'll give you the short version, because this Pavlik/Wright stuff has been going on for years. It started with KP trying to make a name on Winky's back. Wright wouldn't give Pav the time of day let alone a fight. KP was just a high risk/low reward prospect. He couldn't get Winky's attention. After Pavlik beat JT, Winky accused Pavlik of ducking him. Arum told Winky to go take Sturm's title, and they could make a deal. Pavlik said, on video, "Winky Wright is a little guy who doesn't hit very hard. I'd love to smack him around." Winky failed to act on Arum's suggestion. In 2008, after the Calzaghe idea fell apart, Arum put out an open offer of $1.25 million to several potential Pavlik opponents, but he offered Winky $1.4 million and a cut of the PPV. Winky wouldn't take it. Goosen and Team Williams agreed to the $1.25 million. Al Haymon found out Arum offered Winky more, and came back over the top of everyone and demanded more money. The money was available for a Pavlik/Wright PPV, but not for a Pavlik/Williams fight. Pavlik/Williams went south. Hopkins stepped up, and ask for the fight, and HBO agreed to pay good. Both got around $3 million. And that is the shortest possible version of an on going soap opera. Sorry, but there is no way in hell I can dig up all the links to all the info.
I think Pavlik would struggle with a tactical boxer like Wright. If he has anything left Winky is more than capable of boxing to an easy decision. I'd rather see Pavlik vs Williams.
Yeah, a year or so ago this fight made a lot more sense but now Winky is getting up there in years and been way too inactive. But with the 160 division being thin right now I wouldn't count Winky totally out of getting a shot at the title. Give him a win or two over someone decent and suddenly there will be demand for a match. Outside of Williams I'd say Winky is the next best option if he gets busy. He carries a much better name than Sturm or Mundine. Not sure if it happens but it is somewhat possible.
You won't believe it but Wright said it on the fight hype website that he would fight Pavlik in Pavlik's backyard and Pavlik would of got the bigger purse. Now this Pavlik vs Wright on ppv? When will somebody realize Pavlik is a horrible and i mean horrible ppv draw? Hell lets put Tyson vs Holmes right now and i bet that fight will be way more better ppv buys then any of Pavlik fights on ppv. Hell i bet right now Tyson vs you would sell more ppv buys then Pavlik vs Wright or any other fighters at middleweight lol.
Pavlik has been known to throw as many punches as Williams. He hits harder and has a better connect rate than Williams. You think Winky can take a decision? He got discouraged when his best shots did NOTHING to Williams. Pavlik eats him alive and stops him. Winky has nothing left.