Thread: Ward - Pavlik ?

Froch disses Ward, who eyes Pavlik for February | RingTV

At the bottom of this it says Ward is in talks with a Pavlik fight. Pavlik would get badly beaten, I dont see Pavlik winning a round IMO.

Andre Ward-Kelly Pavlik in Play For February 23rd, HBO - Boxing News

Pavlik is still a name so I understand the economics of this for Ward but this is an utter mismatch. Ward will be looking for the KO.

Hard to make any sense of this one. Pavlik can surely still make some money fighting soft touches, and Ward himself isn't a huge draw. Maybe the thinking is that Pavlik won't take any more damage than he would for equivalent paydays at the weight. The only other big fights for Kelly would be Froch or Kessler, maybe Chavez Jr.. All those guys would probably take as much out of him as Ward.

I don't think there was ever much hope of Kelly actually improving or growing into a legit title contender at 168 anyways, this is more of a step back for Ward than anything.

Originally Posted by p4pking

this is more of a step back for Ward than anything.

True, but I can't think of any fight that wouldn't be, unless he wanted to try and shed 8 lbs and fight Martinez at 160 -- which would be ill-advised (and which he's said he won't/can't do).

I suppose a rematch with Dawson at 175 technically would be a step up, but no one is clamoring for that right now.

That all said, a fight against Dirrell or a fight at 175 against Cloud would be less of a step back than this (though I also think he beats Cloud 12-0).

As a Pavlik fan...I would like to see him fight Edwin Rodriguez first before jumping in with the elite guys at 168.

Pavlik-Rodriguez makes sense for both IMO as a good crossroads fight.

Originally Posted by shza

Pavlik is still a name so I understand the economics of this for Ward but this is an utter mismatch. Ward will be looking for the KO.

Yep. Only interesting thing here is the puncher's chance.
And Ward's style is not crowd-pleasing.
Not a good match-up, and not a good fight.

Are they going to try to sell this as a ppv?

Originally Posted by shza

Originally Posted by p4pking

this is more of a step back for Ward than anything.

True, but I can't think of any fight that wouldn't be, unless he wanted to try and shed 8 lbs and fight Martinez at 160 -- which would be ill-advised (and which he's said he won't/can't do).

I suppose a rematch with Dawson at 175 technically would be a step up, but no one is clamoring for that right now.

That all said, a fight against Dirrell or a fight at 175 against Cloud would be less of a step back than this (though I also think he beats Cloud 12-0).

Good point, probably much of the reason that Pavliks people are willing to make this happen as well. I don't think Martinez would have any shot against Ward aside from having him completely drained anyways, and Golovkin looks like a real threat at 160, thats a better fight.
Was it Cloud or Pascal who was injured, and is their fight still going to happen at some point? The winner of that one is about the only worthwhile prospect for Ward in the next year or so, unless Froch steamrolls Bute again and really wants a rematch.

I'm really hoping Pavlik takes his time and finds his footing before taking his last jump at a huge name...he has almost sounds desperate to find his status again and no doubt the networks are chalking him up as a mark on name value. Understandable but his next big go will be his last and he's not ready. Not sure if he'd ever be ready for a peeking Ward style no matter. Their is not enough gauze and suture material on the shelf to put him together after Ward gets done with him.

Originally Posted by shza

Pavlik is still a name so I understand the economics of this for Ward but this is an utter mismatch. Ward will be looking for the KO.

@shza - I know you're a NoCal/Ward fan, but this fight makes no sense at all. Pavlik would be an underdog to the guys Ward beat. Heck, Pavlik would be an underdog to the guys those guys beat (e.g. Bute). This is a waste of an HBO date. Pavlik hasn't beat one notable super middleweight, other than Jermain Taylor, and that was a few years ago. The only person happy about this fighting getting signed is Lyle so he can see Pavlik abused.

Originally Posted by shza

Originally Posted by p4pking

this is more of a step back for Ward than anything.

True, but I can't think of any fight that wouldn't be, unless he wanted to try and shed 8 lbs and fight Martinez at 160 -- which would be ill-advised (and which he's said he won't/can't do).

I suppose a rematch with Dawson at 175 technically would be a step up, but no one is clamoring for that right now.

That all said, a fight against Dirrell or a fight at 175 against Cloud would be less of a step back than this (though I also think he beats Cloud 12-0).

Anthony or Andre Dirrell, Stevenson, Pascal, Cloud, Campillo, and those are off the top of my head. I'm sure there are other options too.

I think Pavlik knows he's done, is looking for the biggest possible payday to retire on and this is it. I bet he's kicking himself that he turned down a million dollars to fight Bute a year or so ago.

Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

I think Pavlik knows he's done, is looking for the biggest possible payday to retire on and this is it. I bet he's kicking himself that he turned down a million dollars to fight Bute a year or so ago.

Agree with every word. Never been sold on Pavlik. Froch or Ward would use him as a punching bag.