Top Rank Boxing: Pavlik vs. Espino December 19 In Youngstown

ByBoxing Press

World Middleweight Champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik returns home, to Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center, on Saturday, December 19, to defend his titles against top-rated contender Miguel Espino.

Promoted by Top Rank, the Pavlik vs. Espino world title tilt will headline an all-action two-country world championship doubleheader, produced and distributed Live on Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. The suggested retail price is $39.95.

Combined, these two sluggers boast an incredible record of 55-3-1 (40 KOs), a winning percentage of 92% and a victory by knockout ratio of 72%!

The pay-per-view broadcast will open from the Arena Itson in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico with WBC super featherweight champion Humberto Soto (49-7-2, 32 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico taking on two-time world champion Jesus Chavez (44-6, 30 KOs), of Austin, Tex., in a 10-round lightweight bout.

WBA interim bantamweight champion Neomar Cermeno (18-0, 10 KOs), of Anzoategui, Venezuela, defending his title against Alejandro Valdez (22-3-2, 16 KOs), of Ciudad Obregon, Mexico.

The pay-per-view action will shift to Youngstown where undefeated Top-10 super welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (25-0, 16 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., will challenge NABF super welterweight champion Willie Lee (17-5, 10 KOs), of New Orleans, in a 12-round bout, followed by the main event, Pavlik vs. Espino.

“It’s great to be back training and it’s great to be defending my titles in Youngstown,” said Pavlik, who has been sidelined for much of the year by various problems from a nagging staph infection in his right hand.

“Jack Loew and I are taking nothing for granted which is why we decided to set up training in Las Vegas. We are 110% focused on Espino and the best way to avoid the distractions of the holidays is to isolate ourselves in the desert.”

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it,” said Espino. “All fighters dream of the chance to fight for a world title and now I am living that dream.

“I know I am the underdog in this fight but that is what is inspiring me. No sacrifice will be too large in preparing for this fight. If Pavlik takes me lightly he’ll be making a big mistake.”