Official Taylor Vs Pavlik Poll (New Pavlik Training Vid Old School Style!Pg 14!)

Pavlik is a true sleeper. A sleeper is a car like a duster or a nova that looks stock but can turn a 10 second quarter mile. He dosent look strong but yet he is one of the hardest punchers pound for pound currently.I belive he would be one of the top punchers at 168 if he moved up. If not the top in both classes.
I think he could beat Calzaghe or Kessler. His chin is world class. His punch placement has Dan Marino like accuracy. And his power clearly speaks for its self. And he is one of the classiest boxers out there. I hope he wins for the good people who are fans of this sport.

Love the analogy......but pavlik is no longer a sleeper, everyone now knows he's capable of 10's but is he sandbagging and capable of pulling of mid nines if necessary. Taylor and the rest of the world saw him run that number and will now be prepared. But like most of us have come to realize and i agree with you pavlik was as much of a class act as anyone after the miranda fight and i would like to see him win as well i just don't see him doing so. This is it for taylor....last chance in my book. A solid win here can help erase all the bashing he's recieved as of late. I see taylor bringing out his old blown car and maybe even spraying the motor this time he's gonna have to cause a loss which is entirely possible or even another boring win which i don't think pavlik is gonna let happen and i don't see how taylor can get the respect he is looking for. Wow i think i did a teddy atlas and took this shit to far but i think you guys get my point

i think ....

taylor will win by ud .

wouldn't want that to happen though

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mar

Love the analogy......but pavlik is no longer a sleeper, everyone now knows he's capable of 10's but is he sandbagging and capable of pulling of mid nines if necessary. Taylor and the rest of the world saw him run that number and will now be prepared. But like most of us have come to realize and i agree with you pavlik was as much of a class act as anyone after the miranda fight and i would like to see him win as well i just don't see him doing so. This is it for taylor....last chance in my book. A solid win here can help erase all the bashing he's recieved as of late. I see taylor bringing out his old blown car and maybe even spraying the motor this time he's gonna have to cause a loss which is entirely possible or even another boring win which i don't think pavlik is gonna let happen and i don't see how taylor can get the respect he is looking for. Wow i think i did a teddy atlas and took this S*** to far but i think you guys get my point

---

But Pavlik is all throttle and no bottle. hahaha....another car guy. +1

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by southakron314

Pavlik is a true sleeper. A sleeper is a car like a duster or a nova that looks stock but can turn a 10 second quarter mile. He dosent look strong but yet he is one of the hardest punchers pound for pound currently.I belive he would be one of the top punchers at 168 if he moved up. If not the top in both classes.
I think he could beat Calzaghe or Kessler. His chin is world class. His punch placement has Dan Marino like accuracy. And his power clearly speaks for its self. And he is one of the classiest boxers out there. I hope he wins for the good people who are fans of this sport.

---

Pavlik is a good fighter but your giving him way to much credit for a win over the limited Miranda.

Pavlik by KO or TKO Taylor has never fought a puncher so it will be interesting see how he reacts to Pavliks power me personaly i don't think Taylor will be able to take Pavliks constant pressure and power and even though i give Taylor credit for his opposition his fights are very boring so if Pavlik wins we can finally bring some excitement back to Middleweight division Plus i would like to add that Taylor has been getting worse imo.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mar

Love the analogy......but pavlik is no longer a sleeper, everyone now knows he's capable of 10's but is he sandbagging and capable of pulling of mid nines if necessary. Taylor and the rest of the world saw him run that number and will now be prepared. But like most of us have come to realize and i agree with you pavlik was as much of a class act as anyone after the miranda fight and i would like to see him win as well i just don't see him doing so. This is it for taylor....last chance in my book. A solid win here can help erase all the bashing he's recieved as of late. I see taylor bringing out his old blown car and maybe even spraying the motor this time he's gonna have to cause a loss which is entirely possible or even another boring win which i don't think pavlik is gonna let happen and i don't see how taylor can get the respect he is looking for. Wow i think i did a teddy atlas and took this S*** to far but i think you guys get my point

---

nice comparison guys.. pavlik will have another trick up his sleeve.. from what i saw with the fight vs miranda pavlik ran all motor.. i think this time he'll use the spray against "flashy" 20 inch rim taylor.. hahaha

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endID=97415900

http://www.kocorner.com/boxing/category/Kelly-Pavlik/ Dan Rafael of ESPN is reporting that a bout between Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik is looking very likely for this fall:

Taylor’s promoter, Lou DiBella, and Pavlik’s promoter, Bob Arum, both told ESPN.com that they have hammered out a deal in principle for the fight to take place this fall. HBO’s working date is Sept. 29. Although the promoters are on the same page, DiBella still needs to finalize his own deal with Taylor.

“Bob and I basically have a deal. We have no major terms we are fighting over and I believe it will get done,” DiBella said. “Bob and I have always been able to get things done. But there are discussions I need to have with my side and with HBO, and the HBO things are not related to money. I haven’t fully talked to my fighter or [Taylor adviser] Al Haymon yet, but I know for a fact that Jermain wants the fight and Haymon isn’t opposed to it.”

The promoters were happy that HBO’s offer for the fight of almost $5 million—well above the figure the network is obligated to pay under its exclusive contract with Taylor—was generous enough to keep the fight off pay-per-view. Arum credited HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg with coming up with the money.

Said DiBella: “HBO came with a fair offer and Bob has postured fairly, so the combination of the two things mean there is no reason a deal shouldn’t get done. I just have to talk things through with Jermain, who has been on vacation, and with Al. But we’re looking for a site. I believe it will happen in September and after Jermain wins, he will come back and fight again in December.”

Good thing it's on HBO and not PPV :P

Pavlik TKO 6th round.

Taylor is too weak, has been hurt by weaker opponents. Winky, Hopkins, and Ouma all showed little respect at times and came back with respect. I expect the same from a bigger stronger Kelly Pavlik, in a surprise TKO knockout.

It won't be that much of a surprise to anyone who follows Pavlik. It will be to those who have only seen him fight once or twice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zupg

It won't be that much of a surprise to anyone who follows Pavlik. It will be to those who have only seen him fight once or twice.

---

They have like five of his fights on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HchCpnORAqk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRThO...elated&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHQMA...elated&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twidZp1ePUk

Associated Press - July 13, 2007 8:25 PM ET

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - Jermain Taylor and Youngstown native Kelly Pavlik are close to a deal to put their undefeated records on the line in a fight for Taylor's middleweight championship.

A person close to the negotiations says today that nothing has been signed, but HBO and Harrah's Entertainment have been told the fight will happen. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made.

The fight is expected to take place Sept. 29 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Taylor, of Little Rock, beat Bernard Hopkins in 2005 to win the middleweight title. He's 27 & oh with one draw.

Pavlik is 31 & oh.

If Pavlik wins, a rematch would be at the super middleweight level, since Taylor's team is concerned lately about his ability to slim down to the 160-pound middleweight limit.

ESPN.com news services

Updated: July 13, 2007, 6:27 PM ET

LITTLE ROCK -- Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik are close to a deal to put their undefeated records on the line in a fight for Taylor's middleweight championship.

Cameron Dunkin, Pavlik's co-manager, said the contract he is reviewing says that the fight will take place at 160 pounds, according to ESPN.com's Dan Rafael. There had been reports that the fight might be somewhere the middleweight limit of 160 pounds and the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds because Taylor is having trouble making weight.

"We want to fight for the title. That's the whole point of the fight," Dunkin said. "It's got to happen at 160. It takes a lot away if it's not for the middleweight championship."

A person close to the negotiations said Friday that nothing has been signed yet -- but that HBO and Harrah's Entertainment have been told the fight will happen, according to The Associated Press. The fight is expected to take place in Atlantic City, N.J, on Sept. 29.

The AP reported that if Pavlik (31-0) wins, a rematch would take place at the super middleweight level. However, Dunkin told Rafael that there is a stipulation in Taylor's rematch clause that says if he loses and picks up his option for a rematch with Pavlik, it would take place at a maximum of 166 pounds -- making it a non-title bout.

"That's fine with us," Dunkin said. "We can do a rematch and Kelly's title won't be at stake? Great. Whatever they want to do. We just want this fight."

Taylor, of Little Rock, beat Bernard Hopkins in 2005 to win the middleweight title. He then beat Hopkins in a rematch and escaped with a draw against Winky Wright. He then outpointed Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks, two fighters up from the junior middleweight ranks.

Taylor (27-0-1) drew criticism for fighting the two smaller opponents, but there should be fewer complaints about his next foe. Pavlik, of Youngstown, Ohio, fought on the Taylor-Spinks undercard in May in Memphis, Tenn. He stopped Edison Miranda in an action-packed seven-round bout that in many ways upstaged Taylor's split decision over Spinks.

Pavlik and Miranda combined to throw 191 punches in the first round. Pavlik's promoter, Bob Arum, compared the fight to great middleweight bouts of the 1980s.

Pavlik said that night he wanted to fight Taylor next, and Taylor said he was willing. Now it appears the fight will happen in Taylor's middleweight swan song.

Taylor moving up after Pavlik fight. By SC
Posted on Tue Jul 10, 2007 at 03:06:30 PM EDT

I am really starting to question Jermain Taylor. According to his coach and co-trainer, Ozell Nelson, the current middleweight champ will move to super middleweight following his fight with Kelly Pavlik, as making weight is proving an issue and has for some time, reportedly.

Taylor's promoter, Lou DiBella, is prepared to approach Top Rank's Bob Arum with a proposal for the same money if the fight with Pavlik can be contested at a catch-weight between 160 and 168 pounds.

However, Jack Loew, who trains Pavlik, is standing firm. He says Pavlik has "no intention" of leaving the middleweight division without a title.

Good for Loew. Good for Pavlik. And hopefully Bob Arum sticks to the guns, too. The September 29th fight in Atlantic City is rather hotly anticipated; people want to see this fight. People want to see Jermain Taylor either prove he's the middleweight champ for the first time in three fights, or see Kelly Pavlik prove that he's not.

To be a skeptic, it sounds like Jermain Taylor is preparing an excuse here. I don't know that Taylor thinks he can beat Pavlik. If you judge by his fights against Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks -- natural 154-pounders that he either couldn't put away or couldn't catch -- then I don't think he can. We'd need to see the Jermain Taylor that showed up to both Hopkins fights, and that might be wishful thinking.

I don't, however, doubt that making weight at 160 is a legitimate issue for Taylor. But to announce an intended move to 168 before a major title fight at 160 is a little odd.

To look at it in a positive light, Taylor should fare well at 168 and be in the mix with Calzaghe and Kessler for top spot rights in the division. Calzaghe's busy bee style could give Taylor fits, and Kessler might just be too strong for him. But Taylor is an amazing athlete that doesn't seem to have reached his full potential as a boxer, but part of that really could be that he's no longer comfortable at the weight.

But on the very surface of it all, I think Pavlik, Loew and Arum would be doing the right thing to refuse a catchweight. Pavlik earned his shot at Taylor's middleweight title.

Ranking the Middleweights: July 2007
By SC
Posted on Sat Jul 14, 2007 at 02:31:55 AM EDT

Heavyweights (04/20/07) :: Junior Welterweights (07/12/07)


No. 1: It's still a toss-up between Winky and Jermain.
1. Winky Wright (51-3-1)
Too good of a record, too many great wins. He fought tooth-and-nail with the younger, stronger Taylor last year. If only we could get a rematch. Wright says his fight with Hopkins will be his only appearance at 175, after which he will return to 160. Wright is probably even a weight class high at middleweight, but he's so tremendously intelligent and defensively superior that he should be able to handle just about anything he takes on. He's my pick, but I don't really think you can go wrong picking either of the top two.

2. Jermain Taylor (27-0-1)
I've given him the same guff as everyone else about fighting Ouma and Spinks, but to be fair, those are two good fighters, even if I personally hate watching Spinks ply his trade. Just considering those two fights, it's easy to write off the fact that he fought and beat Bernard Hopkins twice and went to a draw with Winky after that, and was willing to fight Wright again. He's going to fight Pavlik and then move up to 168. I do find the timing of the announcement to be interesting, to say the least, but he's going to do what's right and give Pavlik the shot he earned. Pavlik is a true middleweight that will someday re-join Taylor a division up. It should be a good fight, if Taylor making weight isn't too much of an issue.

3. Kelly Pavlik (31-0)
Some might believe Pavlik still has a little something to prove, but Edison Miranda getting stomped by "The Ghost" didn't make Miranda a worse fighter. It just proved that Kelly Pavlik was a lot better. He's beaten a few other fairly tough guys on his way up; he wasn't totally coddled. He's got power, boxing skill, and seems to have a gameplan. His straight right is among the best in the business. He will push Taylor to his limits in September.

4. Arthur Abraham (23-0)
He's good, and he's got balls for days. Plus, he came back from the brutal win over Edison Miranda to knock out previously unbeaten Sebastien Demers in the third round. King Arthur has several very good wins, and no one has beaten him. A rematch with Miranda might not make the most conventional sense, but it would be damn fun to see. He will fight Khoren Gevor (27-2) in August.

5. Felix Sturm (28-2)
Sturm is the WBA world champion, and his only career losses are a TKO to Javier Castillejo and the highly questionable decision against Oscar. He avenged the Castillejo loss, and hasn't taken an utterly awful opponent in a long time. The guy can box. I wish he'd get a chance to fight some of the top Americans, but it's not likely. He's a big fish in a decent-sized pond, and his lone trip to the States probably didn't leave him with a favorable impression of what foreigners get credit for from the judges over here.

6. Edison Miranda (28-2)
So he lost to Pavlik. It happens. He had a bad gameplan, got caught off guard, and his defensive lapses were even more dramatic than usual. It was just an out-and-out bad night for Miranda. But he's still got lethal power and a lot of heart, proven as he kept trying to stay in the fight against Pavlik. Really, there are referees that would have called it after the first knockdown. He just needs to work on the defensive side of things, because he's already got the offensive abilities of a world champion.

7. Roman Karmazin (35-2-1)
Good fighter. Probably already peaked with his win over Ouma at 154.

8. Kassim Ouma (25-3-1)
Ouma is one of the easiest guys in boxing to root for, and his only fight at 160 can be considered a pretty fair success despite losing to Taylor. He was undersized against Taylor and had almost no chance of hurting him. But he also never appeared to be seriously rocked by Taylor, despite the champ getting in some good shots. He is better suited for 154, but should do just fine at middleweight. Here's hoping that he beats the pampered Sergio Mora out of pretend contention in September.

9. Javier Castillejo (61-7)
Has fought Sturm twice, Vargas, Karmazin, de la Hoya, and a lot of other good fighters. Castillejo is a tough opponent for anyone just because of his ring savvy. But at 39, it's tough to figure on him having a lot more left in the tank.

10. Sebastien Sylvester (26-2)
Has a loss to Amin Asikainen and one in his pro debut in 2002. Other than that, solid gold. Still, I wouldn't favor him over any of the other nine.

Other Guys:

John Duddy (20-0) is a rising star, but he's been heavily protected, and his undefeated mark is more a reflection of that than anything. His Irish homecoming is another case in point, as he fights Alessio Furlan.

English-born Irishman Andy Lee could someday be a factor in the division. Rafael noted the same thing I was thinking about: Someday, a Lee/Duddy matchup could be huge. Give it a few years.

38-year old Raymond Joval can still go at a respectable level, but he's past his chance to ever be a real contender. Sergio Mora avoiding him to fight Kassim Ouma was a good choice for Mora, though.

26-year old Dominican Giovanni Lorenzo (24-0, 16 KO) has still fought mostly bums, but he has some real skills.

Amin Asikainen's only loss was to Sylvester in a rematch, but other than his win over Sylvester, there's not a whole lot to get excited about on his record.

Taylor says meaner self will be waiting for a Pavlik fight
Associated Press

Updated: June 25, 2007, 12:35 AM ET
Email
Print
LITTLE ROCK -- For Jermain Taylor, the niceties end now.

Taylor, the middleweight champion of the world since 2005, said after hearing criticism from fans in his home state of Arkansas and elsewhere, he will abandon some of his politeness for critics and those facing him in the ring.

"It's over. Those days are over," Taylor told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in an interview published Sunday. "I can't be nice to them anymore, and don't think I'm going to forget a single person that said something. I'm human."

Taylor, of Little Rock, outpointed Kassim Ouma in December, and his split decision against Cory Spinks was even less decisive, causing some fans to dismiss the win. After hearing the criticism, Taylor (27-0-1) said he wants to unleash this new, harsh side on Kelly Pavlik, who battered Edison Miranda during the undercard fight at Taylor's last match.

"I feel bad for him. I mean, I feel bad, because he does not know who he's getting in the ring with," Taylor said. "If he comes at me, I'm going to take it to him, I'm going to give it all to him."

Taylor said he wants Pavlik (31-0) at his next fight, which HBO tentatively has scheduled for Sept. 29.

"That's the fight the people want," Taylor said. "So if that's what they want, you know I'm going to give it to them. I'm never going to back down from anyone. This guy is nothing, and I'm going to expose him. And then what? After I beat him, then what? Because I'm going to beat him, and I'm going to beat him bad. Especially if he comes to fight.

"In the amateurs, I punished him, no problem whatsoever. He has gotten a little better, a little older, a little more mature, but that don't mean nothing. If he comes to fight, and comes to fight hard, his heart isn't big enough."

Taylor also dismissed criticism of his postfight interview on HBO, when he told an interviewer he'd only fight Pavlik "if the money's right." Taylor said that's just part of the business.

"That part right there, I didn't give a damn about," Taylor said. "What, did you expect me to fight him for free? This is how I feed my family. Do you go to work for free? No, you do not. Yes, I will fight this boy, but make sure they get the money right. That's what should have been said."

Taylor is starting sound like Miranda a little more each day, I think Pavlik is really going to surprise a lot of people in Sept!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Punching Princess

Jermain Taylor will outbox Kelly with ease. I know that many people are down on Jermain right now due to the fact he fights guys smaller then him. He put on a terrible performance against Corey Spinks who by the way can make anyone look bad.

Jermain is a guy who fights at the level of his opponent. They stink he stinks. They are at their best he is at his best. One day that will come back to bite him in the rear end but Kelly Pavlik is not that guy.

---

Yeah like Judah. Come on. Talyor did'nt fake punches to draw him to commit. Taylor just looks sloppy.So Taylor will suddenly gain punching power and grow a chin like Pavlik to adjust to him . Taylor lets him self be pressed. To me his perfect record has two losses.I think Kelly Pavlik is the guy to do this. If Taylor finds him self on the ropesd he will be one the canvass. He has never faced a guy who can swat, and Pavlik is the heaviest hitter in the division. And he has a chin which is a rare combo.

This is one of the tougher fights to call for me. I like both fighters and think this will be a war of a fight. Jermaine won't have to try and look good chasing Pavlik around because Kelly will be right in front of him all night. Love him or hate him, Kelly will bring that fight to Taylor, and Taylor will have no option but to go to the trenches with him. I like Taylor's slickness and speed over Pavlik, but he will have to use those qualities all night with a good, solid pressure fighter like Pavlik. Kelly did show a very good chin with Miranda, better than I thought he had, so Taylor will have to have his A-game on. I don't think Jermaine can win an inside slug-fest, but he will use his experience going against better fighters for sure, and I think Jermaine may very well shine that night. I still don't expect him to blow out Kelly, but possibly win in a tight UD. If it doesn't go to the score cards, I will take Pavlik by brutal k.o. in the 8th. I'm not saying Pavlik is the greatest thing since ice cream, just that with the last 2 disappointing fights from Taylor, this will be Taylor's toughest fight to get back that respect from alot of fans; and I think he wants that. He"ll need it that night, as Pavlik is a smart fighter and hungry for that belt, especially with so many people that have doubted him. He not only beat Miranda, who most said would put Pavlik out, he put a clinic on that guy, so Jemaine is in for a long night of it. Fight of the Year IMO; hopefully. Actually, Margarito/Williams might be FOY, can't wait for tonight.

To me, It just seems that Pavlik is the more hungrier fighter.... So I'm thinking it will be a great fight while it last with Pavlik winning by Ko or Tko.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Just a Boxing Fan

Taylor moving up after Pavlik fight. By SC
Posted on Tue Jul 10, 2007 at 03:06:30 PM EDT

I am really starting to question Jermain Taylor. According to his coach and co-trainer, Ozell Nelson, the current middleweight champ will move to super middleweight following his fight with Kelly Pavlik, as making weight is proving an issue and has for some time, reportedly.

Taylor's promoter, Lou DiBella, is prepared to approach Top Rank's Bob Arum with a proposal for the same money if the fight with Pavlik can be contested at a catch-weight between 160 and 168 pounds.

However, Jack Loew, who trains Pavlik, is standing firm. He says Pavlik has "no intention" of leaving the middleweight division without a title.

Good for Loew. Good for Pavlik. And hopefully Bob Arum sticks to the guns, too. The September 29th fight in Atlantic City is rather hotly anticipated; people want to see this fight. People want to see Jermain Taylor either prove he's the middleweight champ for the first time in three fights, or see Kelly Pavlik prove that he's not.

To be a skeptic, it sounds like Jermain Taylor is preparing an excuse here. I don't know that Taylor thinks he can beat Pavlik. If you judge by his fights against Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks -- natural 154-pounders that he either couldn't put away or couldn't catch -- then I don't think he can. We'd need to see the Jermain Taylor that showed up to both Hopkins fights, and that might be wishful thinking.

I don't, however, doubt that making weight at 160 is a legitimate issue for Taylor. But to announce an intended move to 168 before a major title fight at 160 is a little odd.

To look at it in a positive light, Taylor should fare well at 168 and be in the mix with Calzaghe and Kessler for top spot rights in the division. Calzaghe's busy bee style could give Taylor fits, and Kessler might just be too strong for him. But Taylor is an amazing athlete that doesn't seem to have reached his full potential as a boxer, but part of that really could be that he's no longer comfortable at the weight.

But on the very surface of it all, I think Pavlik, Loew and Arum would be doing the right thing to refuse a catchweight. Pavlik earned his shot at Taylor's middleweight title.

---

To me it looks like a perfect hiding stragey for Taylor. Frickin unbeliveable.

Fight 100% signed and done deal and the fight will be in Atlantic City on September 29th.”

The only thing that is left will be the weight!

Pavlik is pulling ahead of Taylor= Pavlik By Decision 4 (6.5%)
Pavlik By KO/TKO 28 (45.2%)
No Contest/Draw 1 (1.6%)
Taylor By Decision 19 (30.6%)
Taylor By KO/TKO 10 (16.1%)
Edit Poll
Total Voters: 62
But This doesn't mean shat, I know I pull for Pavlik in this fight but Taylor has fought the stronger opposition. But I still think Pavlik is the more hungrier right now, and I think that will show ni the fight.

Vindy.com Sports, Local & Regional Story
Published: Sunday, July 8, 2007

Pavlik (finally) gets shot at title
Print StoryEmail to FriendDiscuss this story



He'll fight Jermain Taylor for the WBC crown Sept. 29 in Atlantic City.

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — As Kelly Pavlik was working his way through the middleweight ranks, knocking out pretty much everyone in his path, there were a few times he wondered whether he'd ever get his shot.

He doesn't have to wonder any longer.

The South Sider (31-0, 28 KOs) will fight WBC champion Jermain Taylor (27-0-1, 17 KOs) for the title Sept. 29 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The fight will be televised nationally on HBO.

"It's done," said Pavlik's co-manager, Cameron Dunkin. "Nothing has been signed because there's still a few details to be ironed out, but we're ready to go."

Top Rank president Bob Arum, whose organization represents Pavlik, is vacationing in Europe but has reached an agreement with Taylor's manager, Lou DiBella.

"When Bob gets back, they'll go back and forth and bicker at each other for a while," Dunkin said.

The contract must be signed by July 14, Pavlik said.


"I've heard it's definitely a go, even though we haven't signed anything yet," said Pavlik. "I'm 99.9 percent sure. But until we get something on paper, there's always that one-tenth of a percent."

Money matters

Pavlik, the WBC's No. 1 contender, was guaranteed a title shot after knocking out Edison Miranda in Memphis in May, but many wondered whether Taylor would choose to vacate his title, leaving Pavlik to face another top contender. But HBO reportedly offered more than $4.5 million for the fight, which was enough to satisfy Taylor's handlers and keep the fight off pay-per-view.

"We're still negotiating money right now," said Pavlik, who made $450,000 for the Miranda fight. "It's going to be a good bit more than the last fight, but Taylor is still hogging up most of it right now."

Said Dunkin, "We're still talking money and I'm asking for more."

Pavlik's profile got a huge boost with his dominating performance against Miranda in the undercard of Taylor's bout with Cory Spinks. Taylor won that fight by decision, but the performance didn't impress the fans, who booed the lackluster performance.

Afterward, Taylor vowed he would fight Pavlik only "if the money is right."

East Coast bout

Most observers figured September's bout would be held in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, but Caesars and Bally's Atlantic City came up with a good enough offer to sway promoters.

"They had the best offer and they always take the best offer," said Dunkin.

The site pleased Pavlik, who was hoping to fight on the East Coast so more of his friends and family (not to mention his fans) could attend. Atlantic City is about a seven-hour drive from Youngstown.

"I love it; I think it's great," said Pavlik. "It's closer. We had a good amount of fans down in Tennessee for the Miranda fight and this will allow more people to watch the fight."

Pavlik has never fought in Atlantic City, although he fought as an amateur in nearby Philadelphia. Pavlik turned pro in 2000 and never imagined it would take this long to fight for a championship.

"When I was coming up, they were putting guys in front of me and I kept taking care of business," said Pavlik. "Top Rank put me up against guys who were supposed to go the distance against me and I was taking them out early.

"But I still heard every excuse, that I wasn't fighting anybody. And I thought, 'What else do I have to do?' "

Breaking through

Pavlik finally broke through over the past few years with wins over Bronko McKart, Jose Luis Zertuche and Fulgencio Zuniga, winning the NABF title by knocking out Zuniga.

"For a while, the credit wasn't coming," Pavlik, 25, said. "There came a point in time when I wondered if I'd get a chance at the title. I wondered if some fluke was going to happen.

"The thing is, in boxing, losses come. To go 31-0 over the past seven years, I give myself a pat on the back. You can get robbed, you can get hit by a phantom punch. To try and keep that record going, it always plays on your mind."

Even after his knockout of Miranda, Pavlik's own handlers felt Taylor would duck him, opting instead to move up a weight class. Pavlik prepared himself for the worst, figuring he would at least get a title shot no matter what.

"I didn't want to get false hopes," said Pavlik. "But two weeks ago, my agent told me it was real close. Then there was talk of HBO offering good money and then I saw Taylor was running his mouth in the paper again, so that made me feel really great about it."

Hasn't started training

Pavlik, who trains with Jack Loew at the SouthSide Boxing Club, has been jogging twice a week to keep in shape, but he won't start training heavily until early August. He trained for six weeks for the Miranda fight and said training more than six or seven weeks takes its toll.

"By the time I fought Miranda, I had some aches in my lower back, my elbows and my legs," said Pavlik. "It's pretty demanding on the body."

September's fight will be the first middleweight title bout held in Atlantic City since Bernard Hopkins defeated William Joppy in December of 2003.

It will be the third major fight at Boardwalk Hall in 2007. Sultan Ibragimov won the WBO heavyweight title last month against Shannon Briggs and, Friday, Arturo Gatti will fight Alfonso Gomez in a welterweight bout.

"We worked hard and stuck through a lot," said Pavlik. "Fortunately for us, everything worked out in the end."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Just a Boxing Fan

Fight 100% signed and done deal and the fight will be in Atlantic City on September 29th.”

---

Edision is soo swollen he looks like a baby kitten. AWWWW!

28 ppl voted that Pavlik is going to knock him out or tko him?? You guys cant possibly really believe that??

taylor doesnt duck anyone and deserves respect and credit but i think he may of taken a very big bite this time ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RuThLesS

28 ppl voted that Pavlik is going to knock him out or tko him?? You guys cant possibly really believe that??

---

Wow you registered just to say that. Thats amazing in itself, and yes Taylor will have his ass handed to himself on the 29th.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RuThLesS

28 ppl voted that Pavlik is going to knock him out or tko him?? You guys cant possibly really believe that??

---

Is your name Ruth Less. B.C for you for just joining. Did you just watch your first boxing match on Wensday . Pavlik will beat his ass. Im very shocked that Taylor didnt try to go after some one else but I guess money isnt no big thing for the white boy from south Youngstown. I think he would pay to fight Taylor.

I don't think Taylor has looked good in his last 4 fights, but I think he's good enough to beat Pavlik. Taylor's last 4 fights were against good and different style fighters. I like Pavlik and I think he has good power but I think Taylor is going to K.O. him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by helminth

I don't think Taylor has looked good in his last 4 fights, but I think he's good enough to beat Pavlik. Taylor's last 4 fights were against good and different style fighters. I like Pavlik and I think he has good power but I think Taylor is going to K.O. him.

---

If Taylor wins it will not be by KO, It would be by decision. I honestly do not believe the hunger is there anymore for my brother from the South. This is the time for a breath of fresh here to breeze into your living rooms on the 29th. Pavlik will show his true grit,heart and power when he stops the unbeaten foe in Taylor.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by helminth

I don't think Taylor has looked good in his last 4 fights, but I think he's good enough to beat Pavlik. Taylor's last 4 fights were against good and different style fighters. I like Pavlik and I think he has good power but I think Taylor is going to K.O. him.

---

And what was your opinion of the Miranda Pavlik fight as of mid april. I bet you thaught Pantera was going to pick him apart. I predicted he would win and how he was going to win. I feel that Taylor will try to use the center of the ring more. This will allow Pavlik to fake a jab or fake alot to get the quicker Taylor to commit allowing Pavlik to counter

also with Pavlik countering and Taylor letting his hands lay low he will naturally want to back up a step or two. I dont see Taylors power really effecting Pavliks chin . I think if Pavlik even lands only 30% he will still be able to knock him out. Pavlik has beaten guys that he should have not been to knock out like Zuretuchi and McCart. i just dont see anyother way than a K.O before the 10th for Pavlik.

You've seen Taylor, he'll barely get a decision and it will be debated for awhile.


Seriously Taylor often does just enough to win, he hasn't looked spectacular, hasn't been overly impressive. He does get the "star" benefit in the scoring.

I hope this fight is different. Win or lose, I hope it is different.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by southakron314

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by helminth

I don't think Taylor has looked good in his last 4 fights, but I think he's good enough to beat Pavlik. Taylor's last 4 fights were against good and different style fighters. I like Pavlik and I think he has good power but I think Taylor is going to K.O. him.

---

And what was your opinion of the Miranda Pavlik fight as of mid april. I bet you thaught Pantera was going to pick him apart. I predicted he would win and how he was going to win. I feel that Taylor will try to use the center of the ring more. This will allow Pavlik to fake a jab or fake alot to get the quicker Taylor to commit allowing Pavlik to counter

---

My opinion of the Miranda Pavlik fight was that Pavlik beat down Miranda like a red headed step child. I thought the fight was going to be closer. I would'nt go as far to say that I thought Miranda was going to pick him apart, but maybe a knockout. But I think Taylor is alot more experienced that Miranda as of now. Call it a gut feeling. I think Taylor knows he needs to punch meat going into this fight and he will pull it off.

So what technique do you think Taylor is going to use to beat Pavlik. I tell you if he ends up on the ropes as he dose with most of his 154 lbers he fights he is screwed.