Pavlik vs Winky fight just might happen!!

Kelly Pavlik: Winky Wright an Option, Paul Williams is Not - Boxing News

By Mark Vester
WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is tentatively set to return on September 27 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The opponent on the other end of the ring is still up in the air.


MaxBoxing/BoxingScene.com's Steve Kim spoke with Bob Arum of Top Rank to get current status on the selection of Pavlik's next opponent. A few names are in the running, but WBO welterweight champ Paul Williams does not appear to be one of them. A few weeks ago, Williams called for a bout with Pavlik and was willing to move up by two-weight divisions to make the fight.


According to Arum, Williams is asking for too much money. Arum and Dan Goossen, who represents Paul Williams, are far apart on the money, which Arum says is due to the economy and the limited dollar figure that HBO is willing to offer.


Winky Wright has been calling for a bout with Pavlik for several months, but was asking for way too much money to even be considered. He appears to have had a change of heart and is now willing to be more realistic with his monetary demand.


"Right now we're going to explore what the situation is with Winky Wright. Because Winky has learned that his monetary demands are unrealistic, although he's a good fighter and what was around a while ago, just isn't around today. It's as simple as that, there's nothing I can do about it."
Besides Wright, Williams (if they can agree on the money), Marco Antonio Rubio, the winner of Felix Sturm-Randy Griffin and WBC junior middleweight champ Sergio Mora (a longshot) are all in the running for date.

How the hell they gonna even attempt to sell a fight with williams when the guy is barely dominating a division 2 weight classes below??

If ODLH wanted kelly arum would sign the contracts tommorow. Fortunately for oscar he has more sense than to want any part of pavlik.

Lets get him upto 168 and really get this show on the road i say.

I think Winky's ring rust would affect him. I dont know why he doesn't have a warm up fight.

I didn't read the article but is Abraham vs Pavlik still on ?? because it should be, i would rather see Winky take a warm up fight then fight the Pavlik vs Abraham winner. As i've said before if Pavlik goes to the body he will win the Wright fight more clearly, if he doesn't then Pavlik will be in for a frustrating night trying to punch through Winky's guard.

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Originally Posted by hattonthehammer

How the hell they gonna even attempt to sell a fight with williams when the guy is barely dominating a division 2 weight classes below??

If ODLH wanted kelly arum would sign the contracts tommorow. Fortunately for oscar he has more sense than to want any part of pavlik.

Lets get him upto 168 and really get this show on the road i say.

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There is really not anyone for him to fight at 168 either. Kessler is the only decent fight for Pavlik there. At least at Middleweight, he has the Winky's, Abrahams and a few others that could make it interesting. Middleweight is the more prestigious class anyway so he should hang out there for as long as he can IMO.

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Originally Posted by ICB

I didn't read the article but is Abraham vs Pavlik still on ?? because it should be, i would rather see Winky take a warm up fight then fight the Pavlik vs Abraham winner. As i've said before if Pavlik goes to the body he will win the Wright fight more clearly, if he doesn't then Pavlik will be in for a frustrating night trying to punch through Winky's guard.

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I don't think it was ever "on" per say. I think it will be worked on down the road if the finances get in shape for it. You might see it next year.

Why would they even consider Williams?!

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Originally Posted by ICB

I didn't read the article but is Abraham vs Pavlik still on ?? because it should be, i would rather see Winky take a warm up fight then fight the Pavlik vs Abraham winner. As i've said before if Pavlik goes to the body he will win the Wright fight more clearly, if he doesn't then Pavlik will be in for a frustrating night trying to punch through Winky's guard.

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I totally agree I think the fight everyone wants to see at Middleweight is Pavlik v Abraham. The only problem for Winky fighting the winner is that he is already past his best and the way boxing politics is these days it would probably take 12 months to set up 2 high profile boxing matches like these by which time he could be well and truly over the hill.

Get Sturm in there with a couple of guys like Lee and Rubio.
Make him sink or swim and we'll get another contender from that mess.

A williams fight would be a joke.

a winky fight i would not mind.

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Get Sturm in there with a couple of guys like Lee and Rubio.
Make him sink or swim and we'll get another contender from that mess.

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Thats if he can get by Griffin.

i was thinking that Kelly while knock Winkey out if he goes for the body.

Pavlik would most likley punch through that defense and finish off Winky's career.

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Originally Posted by ICB

I didn't read the article but is Abraham vs Pavlik still on ?? because it should be, i would rather see Winky take a warm up fight then fight the Pavlik vs Abraham winner. As i've said before if Pavlik goes to the body he will win the Wright fight more clearly, if he doesn't then Pavlik will be in for a frustrating night trying to punch through Winky's guard.

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Well it seems to me that if both keep a clean record, they will fight in Jan 09. With that being said they have to win their next fights.

Much respect to Winky but this fight would be tough for Winky if he was in his prime. Now, well, just get whatever money you can get and hope not to get seriously beat up has got to be Winky's thinking. Sounds like an impressive name ready to be added to Kelly's ever so growing knockout list.

I love Winky, but I don't see him beating Pavlik at this stage of his career. He's not mobile enough these days, it's like his legs just aren't there anymore. And if he stands in front of Pavlik with his guard up Pavlik is just going to smash right through it. Plus, I really think the weight fluctuation is going to badly affect Winky at this stage of his career. I'll be cheering for Winky, but if I was going to put money down it would be on Pavlik.

Aside from Abraham, this is the fight I most want Pavlik to take. If he fights Winky, then Abraham, I'll be impressed with the level of competition.

fair play to Pavlik if he takes the Winky fight, Winky could stilll do alot of damage at Middleweight, He's a hard fighter to look good against and it would be intresting to see if he could frustrate Pavlik. Don't know who I'd pick, like both fighters, would definitly like to see this instead of Williams or Mora

I'd be surprised if Arum did this. Its pretty much a no win situation.

I would be surprised if Pavlik could knock Winky out of a wheelchair much less out in the ring. Winky just has a really good defense and while his legs are allegedly on the decline, I wouldn't take Wladimir Klitschko to knock him out.

But if he does then much respect to Kelly. I would rather see this then Pavlik-Abraham to be honest. I really hope it happens.

BTW - How come everytime I hear Arum talking nowadays it's about the economy?

I love how everyone is so gung ho on Pavlik knocking Winky out, like it is a foregone conclusion. Winky isn't some shitty club fighter that the networks got to showcase Pavlik's talents. Winky is a man that few can beat, and even then it isn't easy.