Congratulations to Kelly Pavlik for a well-fought fight last night. He captured the middleweight title in a way that Jermain Taylor couldn't and couldn't defend. The alleged dissension in the ranks behind Team Taylor, the weight issues and Taylor's "wasted punches" are excuses that belong to another day, the night was Pavlik's and he took hold of it.

The tone was set from the opening bell when Kelly Pavlik began forcing Jermain Taylor backwards but two things were different from previous fights of both men; Taylor could fight going backwards a lot better than Edison Miranda did against Pavlik and Taylor had learned not to back straight into the ropes and make camp there.

Taylor gave lateral movement or fought his way off the ropes and made it his duty to always bring the fight back to the center of the ring.

After dropping the first round, Taylor came back to pound Pavlik with a barrage of punches and knock him down in the second. After Pavlik rose, he was almost downed again with a right but held on after Taylor seemingly gassed out near the end of the round.

That just may have been the beginning of the end.

And not because of Taylor's typical stamina issues. Well, not solely. Kelly's ability to recuperate from Jermain's powerful shots and then come back to control the third round was a true test of the fortitude fan's desire in a fighter. His nose quite possibly broken, Pavlik came back for more with every intention of returning the favor with interest.

Taylor was definitely aware of Pavlik's right. With each time that he was forced up against the ropes, his hands were up high to deflect his opponent's power shots.

But with Pavlik seemingly being the only one expending less and less nervous energy as the rounds went on, it's no wonder Taylor didn't see the fight-ending punch coming in the seventh.

After making his jab more dominant, Pavlik set up a beautiful straight right with it that connected solidly with Taylor's chin and sent him hurtling into the corner.

Taylor tried weakly to fend off even more furious blows, only to be clobbered to the mat with a full arsenal of rights and lefts. And in no shape to continue, the referee waved off the fight without a count.

So now there is a new era set to begin in the middleweight ranks. A champion who may lead with his chin, but also finishes with his fists. Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik has taken possession of the middleweight title.

May we see a more spirited effort from this champion in the future.

Click to read more boxing articles by Gerald Rice

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