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No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Gary “The Rocket” Lockett, 30-1 (21), from Cwmbran, Wales, has vowed to follow in the footsteps of two-division world champion and fellow stablemate Joe Calzaghe by winning his debut fight in America.
The Rocket Man challenges middleweight kingpin Kelly Pavlik, 33-0 (29), from Youngstown, OH, in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, June 7, for Pavlik’s WBO and WBC world titles.
And although the 31-year-old goes to the States a massive underdog, he possesses the explosive KO power to create a huge upset.
“Joe’s win over Bernard Hopkins was an inspiration to me,” said Lockett. “He went to the States and did British boxing proud, and I’ll do the same in June. Not many people have heard of me in the US, but once I’ve beaten Pavlik, I’ll be a household name.”
Yet confident Lockett realises the size of the task he is up against.
“Obvioulsy Pavlik is a huge name and a very dangerous fighter,” he said. He’s already beaten Jermain Taylor twice, and you have to give him massive respect for that.
“Added to that, he’s unbeaten in 33 fights and will be a very, very tough customer. He’s a puncher like me and I recognise that I’ll have to be at my very best to win the fight.
“But I’ve seen a few weaknesses in Pavlik’s style that I believe I can exploit. He’s been tagged before, and with my power, I’ve got a great chance of knocking him out.”
Lockett has been training hard with BWAA Trainer of the Year Enzo Calzaghe in Newbridge, Wales, and will be getting some tips from Calzaghe Jnr when he returns from the Caribbean from his post-fight holiday.
Opening the HBO broadcast will be WBO junior featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon, 34-1 (30), from Huntington Park, CA, defending his title for the seventh time, against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Juan Manuel Lopez, 21-0 (19), from Caguas, Puerto Rico.
Combined, this quartet of sluggers boasts an incredible record of 118-2 (99), a winning percentage of over 98% and a victory by knockout ratio of 84%!
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Frank Warren’s Sports Network and Caesars Atlantic City, the Pavlik-Lockett world middleweight championship will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 9:35 p.m. EDT / 6:35 p.m. PDT in the U.S. The UK will see it via Setanta Sports 1.
Remaining tickets, priced at $300, $200, $100, and $50, can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com
