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TOP
RANK and Kelly Pavlik, young, tough, and ready.
Mike Cassell “The Philadelphia Boxing Report”
(NOV 7) Bob Arum may be able to single handedly save the game of boxing,
with fighters like Antonio Margarito, Joshua Clottey and the young,
twenty four year old slugger, Kelly Pavlik (29-0, 26 KO), as well as the
absolutely outstanding “Versus” network. My DVR has recorded everything
broadcasted to date, and it is about time that we have some entertaining
boxing programming on cable or satellite that are not a premium. Kelly
Pavlik has not been tested, but he has dismantled every fighter he was
supposed to. As Jermain Taylor sits atop the middleweight division, as
the undisputed and unchallenged champion, the young and hungry Pavlik is
eyeing the prize, and training very hard, waiting for the day, that he
gets his shot. He could not have come along at a better time. It seems
like Jermain Taylor is taking a break, with the upcoming match with
Kassim Ouma. He was actually pondering a match with Sergio Mora of The
Contender, before he decided on Ouma. I like Kassim very much. He is a
great guy, and a hard working fighter, in and out of the ring, but we
are all fooling ourselves, if we think Ouma, will be able to fight his
fight against the bigger, stronger Taylor. That is why I like guys like
Pavlik. They are the wild card in the middleweight division. Is he good
enough? Will he step up? With fighters like Joe Calzaghe, calling out
retired fighters, like Bernard Hopkins, It highlights an obvious need,
for a young slugger like Pavlik to be thrust into the spotlight. I like
his size at 6’3”. I think he shows incredible skill, for a 24 year old.
I hope he stays light enough, long enough, to wait for some of the
lighter fighting talent to move up, because I do not think any of the
Champions now will even consider, taking on a bull like this guy. He
could really be a wrench, in the slow moving, and predictable machine,
that is the middleweight division. I am so impressed with guts of “Top
Rank” boxing. They have thought about the fan, and have really been
doing what is best for the game of boxing. Having a vehicle like
“VERSUS” to showcase Pavlik, shows the length Arum will go to, to bring
boxing back to the forefront of sports. Top Rank may have the fight of
the year, with Clottey and Margarito on Decemeber 2nd as well. As a
boxing writer, and a purist, this fight quite honestly is making me
giddy. As most promoters have become predictable with age, Arum is
showing all the NEW promoters, that although names sell tickets, good
matches win fans, and Top Rank has nurtured more young talent, than
probably anyone in the history of the game. Let’s just hope that if
Kelly Pavlik is all we think he is, he will be smart enough to stay with
the guys that got him there, because this kid has a bright future.
Mike Cassell
Editor
www.philaboxingreport.com
www.920espn.com
