Kelly Pavlik finalizes deal to fight Bernard Hopkins in October

LAS VEGAS (AP) -Unbeaten middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has finalized a deal to fight longtime titlist Bernard Hopkins on Oct. 18 in Atlantic City, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Wednesday.
Arum is ambivalent about making the bout between Pavlik and Hopkins, the cagey 43-year-old boxer who lost a narrow decision to Joe Calzaghe in April. But after potential matchups with Calzaghe and Arthur Abraham fell through, Arum and Pavlik decided to move up in weight to face a famous opponent who specializes in messy, defensive fights.
"Kelly was looking for a big fight, and there was nobody around that qualified as a big fight," Arum said. "Even though we're not thrilled about fighting at 170 pounds (77 kilos), (Hopkins) was the only alternative."
Pavlik, who battered Gary Lockett in his first title defense in June, had hoped for a super middleweight (76 kilos, 168 pounds) matchup with fellow unbeaten champion Calzaghe, but the Welshman instead accepted a less daunting fight with veteran Roy Jones Jr. That fight likely will be held Nov. 8 in New York after Calzaghe recently sprained his right wrist in training.
Pavlik, who holds the WBC and WBO middleweight belts, also craves a unification bout with IBF middleweight champion Abraham. But the German fighter must meet mandatory challenger Raul Marquez this fall.
Top Rank also discussed matchups with Paul Williams, Winky Wright, Marco Antonio Rubio, Randy Griffin and Sergio Mora before deciding on Hopkins, the Golden Boy Promotions partner who once made 20 consecutive middleweight title defenses.
Though Hopkins isn't a strong pay-per-view television draw in the United States or a particularly exciting fighter, he's still an impressive athlete and a defensive mastermind who will test Pavlik's discipline and resourcefulness.
"Kelly realized that since Hopkins has given everyone else trouble, that if Kelly disposes of him and knocks him out, it will be a feather in Kelly's cap," Arum said.
After revitalizing his career with upset victories over Antonio Tarver and Wright, Hopkins dropped a split decision to Calzaghe in April in Las Vegas, losing his light heavyweight title despite knocking down Calzaghe in the first round. Hopkins, who faded in the late rounds, repeatedly has insisted he was robbed.
Pavlik still might get a shot at Calzaghe before the Welsh champion retires, Arum said. Calzaghe recently has seemed open to meeting Pavlik early next year if both fighters win their next bouts.
Top Rank will formally announce the Pavlik-Hopkins fight at a news conference in New York next month, Arum said.

AP NEWS
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Copyright 2007-2008, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5VDeTKfBhg

I will be sure to Bet in Killer Sheeps house that Pavlik wins by Tko :cool:

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Originally Posted by CountryBoy

I will be sure to Bet in Killer Sheeps house that Pavlik wins by Tko :cool:

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They need to Change B-Hops name from the Executioner to simply Dirty Old Man ;D

Pavlik will put an end to B-Pop once and for all.
:lickish:

I may be in the minority. I hope Hopkins wins.

Just looking forward to hopefully see a good fight in favor of Pavlik.

I'm looking forward to the pre-fight b.s. from Hopkins mouth:

"I'll never let another white boy beat me"

it's an interesting matchup, to be sure. at the same time, my gut feeling is that it would be better for boxing, and perhaps also pavlik, to just stay in his class and (try to) clean up. why risk the damage of going up in weight, other than for the dough?

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Originally Posted by LEGION

I'm looking forward to the pre-fight b.s. from Hopkins mouth:

"I'll never let another white boy beat me"

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LOl
What is funny is that he hired two white boys to help him win this fight. Hopkins is trash and I hope the ghost really puts a hurting on him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NowwnTx0cU

Hopkins could take this.

He's cagey.
Kelly relies on volume punching when he can't KO the opponent and Hopkins specialises in tiring guys.

But IO hope Kelly takes it.

I hope Pavlik wins so Calzaghe gets to work him over but as the fight draws near i will probably get sold on Hopkins crap.

I'am looking forward to see how Pavlik handles the dirty tactics of B'hop.

I reckon B hop is too experienced for Pavlik, I would guess hopkins would be a heavy underdog so good money to be made here i think

He's mad. B-Hop is such a cagey bastard, could be disastrous....It's also a shame to think the referee may have a bit outcome on the fight (Joe cortez-cunt)

For me, even being a big JC fan, I have to admit he finally started to look his age last time out. He just got tired, and Calzaghe wasn't even as busy as usual.

I see Hop making Pav look a little foolish for a few rounds, but if kelly is persistent he should catch up with him and get a TKO lateish.

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Originally Posted by Bomp

For me, even being a big JC fan, I have to admit he finally started to look his age last time out. He just got tired, and Calzaghe wasn't even as busy as usual.

I see Hop making Pav look a little foolish for a few rounds, but if kelly is persistent he should catch up with him and get a TKO lateish.

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Hopkins was begging for a breather twice against Calzaghe. And you are right, Calzaghe was forced to show a little respect after going two points down in the first. I think that jolted Joes pride and shocked him more than anything else. Pavlik is another high output fighter and good at what he does. Doesnt have Calzaghes skills but he throws bombs and a lot of them. Hopkins keeps on trying to roll the dice, but Pavlik is a throw too far IMO.

I'm looking forward to the Pavlik hype train losing some momentum.

As much as I hate to say it.I believe Pavlik will destroy B-Hop.This my friend's is the end to a great career in Bernard Hopkins.

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Originally Posted by The Fightfan

As much as I hate to say it.I believe Pavlik will destroy B-Hop.This my friend's is the end to a great career in Bernard Hopkins.

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I feel the same way!I think it's fairly obvious that Kelly will distroy Legendary B-hop within 7rounds i reckon!!!:-\I just hope that Calzaghe will be up for a fight with Kelly after he has beat Jones.The Calzaghe Vs Pavlik fight has to happen man!!!!!!!!!!;D

I was gonna give Hopkins till 9 but your 7 does seem more likely.

It'll be a shame to see a Legend like Hopkins go out in retirement in that kind of fashion:eek:,but with having a opponant like Pavlik fighting you it's only a matter of time to get sparked out during 12 rounds.

Pavlik will knock the guy out, No If's or But's about it.

Bernard Hopkins will make Kelly Pavlik look horrible and limited but i see him stopping Bernard Hopkins late he has the power to do so unlike Joe Calzaghe..........

But an interesting fact is that i believe Bernard Hopkins started his career at Cruiserweight which means he is naturally bigger than Kelly Pavlik........

So the question is will Kelly Pavlik's power be as much of presence at a higher weight class ?

Pavlik will not stop Hopkins, I am quite sure of that (although I was quite sure Cotto would not be stopped by Margarito) :rolleyes:

I cannot see Pavlik stopping Hopkins. I actually see the fight going much like the Calzaghe/Bhop fight. Hopkins will school Pavlik early, then tire some and Pavlik will start getting work in. Pavlik will then eek out a decision.

I will add this also. Pavlik had better not show a lazy jab early in the fight, or he may just end up on his ass like Joe did.

Hopkins isn't stupid, he wouldn't of taken a fight with Pavlik if he didn't think he could last the distance with him.

Pavliks power at 170 won't be all that great, he will have alot of trouble landing on Hopkins, if Hopkins can make a guy like calzaghe with fast feet and hands miss often imagine how many pavlik will land.

Pavlik might win a close decision by throwing more but he won't look good at all. He was stupid to take this fight.

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Originally Posted by ssss

Bernard Hopkins will make Kelly Pavlik look horrible and limited but i see him stopping Bernard Hopkins late he has the power to do so unlike Joe Calzaghe..........

But an interesting fact is that i believe Bernard Hopkins started his career at Cruiserweight which means he is naturally bigger than Kelly Pavlik........

So the question is will Kelly Pavlik's power be as much of presence at a higher weight class ?

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Thats a ridiculous assumption to say Bernard who started his career at LHW is bigger than Pavlik because he was overweight for that fight. He was a natural middleweight for a long long time, we will see how long Pavlik will be able to stay at 160, I guarantee it won't be until he's 40.

Also people are ridiculous Hopkins makes everybody look horrible, even Winky Wright and Joe Calzaghe, but are more accurate and faster than Pavlik, so what makes you guys think Pavlik will land anything half decent against the slickest boxer in boxing?

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Originally Posted by Taeth

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Originally Posted by ssss

Bernard Hopkins will make Kelly Pavlik look horrible and limited but i see him stopping Bernard Hopkins late he has the power to do so unlike Joe Calzaghe..........

But an interesting fact is that i believe Bernard Hopkins started his career at Cruiserweight which means he is naturally bigger than Kelly Pavlik........

So the question is will Kelly Pavlik's power be as much of presence at a higher weight class ?

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Thats a ridiculous assumption to say Bernard who started his career at LHW is bigger than Pavlik because he was overweight for that fight. He was a natural middleweight for a long long time, we will see how long Pavlik will be able to stay at 160, I guarantee it won't be until he's 40.

Also people are ridiculous Hopkins makes everybody look horrible, even Winky Wright and Joe Calzaghe, but are more accurate and faster than Pavlik, so what makes you guys think Pavlik will land anything half decent against the slickest boxer in boxing?

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I think you need to learn more about Bernard Hopkins he had quite a few fights at Light Heavyweight in his early career where he was in great shape and not overweight at all...............

Even as a Cruiserweight he looked in good shape and remember his power still carried up to Light Heavyweight where as Kelly Pavlik didn't look as strong at 168 which leads me to believe Bernard Hopkins is more of natural Light Heavyweight than Kelly Pavlik is.

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Originally Posted by ssss

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Originally Posted by Taeth

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Originally Posted by ssss

Bernard Hopkins will make Kelly Pavlik look horrible and limited but i see him stopping Bernard Hopkins late he has the power to do so unlike Joe Calzaghe..........

But an interesting fact is that i believe Bernard Hopkins started his career at Cruiserweight which means he is naturally bigger than Kelly Pavlik........

So the question is will Kelly Pavlik's power be as much of presence at a higher weight class ?

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Thats a ridiculous assumption to say Bernard who started his career at LHW is bigger than Pavlik because he was overweight for that fight. He was a natural middleweight for a long long time, we will see how long Pavlik will be able to stay at 160, I guarantee it won't be until he's 40.

Also people are ridiculous Hopkins makes everybody look horrible, even Winky Wright and Joe Calzaghe, but are more accurate and faster than Pavlik, so what makes you guys think Pavlik will land anything half decent against the slickest boxer in boxing?

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I think you need to learn more about Bernard Hopkins he had quite a few fights at Light Heavyweight in his early career where he was in great shape and not overweight at all...............

Even as a Cruiserweight he looked in good shape and remember his power still carried up to Light Heavyweight where as Kelly Pavlik didn't look as strong at 168 which leads me to believe Bernard Hopkins is more of natural Light Heavyweight than Kelly Pavlik is.

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Bernard NEVER fought at CRUISERWEIGHT, check your facts... Bernard Hopkins

Hopkins fought ONCE at 175 at the begining of his career, and he was out of shape, thats why Bouie Fisher made him go down to middleweight because Hopkins thought he was a cruiserweight or LHW and Bouie basically said he was stupid. Siince that first fight he hadn't fought at LHW until he faced Tarver at 41 years of age. Kelly is 26 of course he is still fighting naturally at middleweight. Wait until he is 30, 35,40 I could see him being a cruiserweight by then if he can stay in the sport, but he is going to be at least a SMW by the time he is 30 IMO.

This could be a scary fight for Kelly, but to be a great champ you have to face and defeat great champs. I somewhat understand the reasons for signing this fight. Out of all the names that came up to be his next opponent B-hop was the smarter choice considering what's at stake in the future. The money (50-50 split) must have worked, but more importantly it lines him up with Calzaghe. Kelly has made it very clear that after he beat Taylor twice his goal was to square off with Calzaghe. According to Calzaghe, Kelly or the people he has faced aren't near his level (bunch of BS). So this is why it makes sense to take the chance and fight B-hop. If B-hop is on Calzaghe's level and he had trouble beating B-hop convincingly, than Kelly has to fight B-hop to prove to Calzaghe (not that Kelly should or needs to) that he is the real deal. After Kelly KO's B-hop i'm curious to see what Calzaghe does, I hope the slapper keeps his word and fights Kelly. I see this fight going similar to the Cotto-Margarito fight. Like Cotto B-hop will to some eyes and judges be winning the fight, but like Margarito Kelly will stalk and walk down B-hop till the pressure (7-8 rd.) becomes to much. Kelly doesn't slap and his KO percentage proves this B-hop will be a nice name on the long and growing list of KO's.

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Originally Posted by Taeth

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Originally Posted by ssss

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Originally Posted by Taeth

Thats a ridiculous assumption to say Bernard who started his career at LHW is bigger than Pavlik because he was overweight for that fight. He was a natural middleweight for a long long time, we will see how long Pavlik will be able to stay at 160, I guarantee it won't be until he's 40.

Also people are ridiculous Hopkins makes everybody look horrible, even Winky Wright and Joe Calzaghe, but are more accurate and faster than Pavlik, so what makes you guys think Pavlik will land anything half decent against the slickest boxer in boxing?

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I think you need to learn more about Bernard Hopkins he had quite a few fights at Light Heavyweight in his early career where he was in great shape and not overweight at all...............

Even as a Cruiserweight he looked in good shape and remember his power still carried up to Light Heavyweight where as Kelly Pavlik didn't look as strong at 168 which leads me to believe Bernard Hopkins is more of natural Light Heavyweight than Kelly Pavlik is.

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Bernard NEVER fought at CRUISERWEIGHT, check your facts... Bernard Hopkins

Hopkins fought ONCE at 175 at the begining of his career, and he was out of shape, thats why Bouie Fisher made him go down to middleweight because Hopkins thought he was a cruiserweight or LHW and Bouie basically said he was stupid. Siince that first fight he hadn't fought at LHW until he faced Tarver at 41 years of age. Kelly is 26 of course he is still fighting naturally at middleweight. Wait until he is 30, 35,40 I could see him being a cruiserweight by then if he can stay in the sport, but he is going to be at least a SMW by the time he is 30 IMO.

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Im just going by my memory commentators stated in a very early fight of Bernard Hopkins that he fought at Cruiserweight and also fought at Light Heavyweight few times im also postitive i see Bernard Hopkins at Light Heavyweight more than once...............

Either my memory is wrong the commentators are wrong or boxrec is wrong which it has been plenty of times in the past.

Your wrong lol, its common knowledge that bernard fought at LHW in his first bout then lost it, and moved down to SMW/MW, and then stayed at MW, and won for many yeras.

idk pavlik hasnt faced anyone like hopkins he is a crafty veteran that if your not fully prepared your done. so im going for hopkins but i rather see pavlik win because he is the younger guy that can provide more fights in boxing pe@ce
YouTube - LacosteDon's Channel

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Originally Posted by LacosteDon

idk pavlik hasnt faced anyone like hopkins he is a crafty veteran that if your not fully prepared your done. so im going for hopkins but i rather see pavlik win because he is the younger guy that can provide more fights in boxing pe@ce
YouTube - LacosteDon's Channel

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Whats up bro, How ya been. I 've done told ya Pavlik is going to knock the racism out of the old man..... Glad to see ya back, BTW when ya coming back....Stay safe bro, and if you see Osama Skull fuk em. ;)

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Originally Posted by ssss

Bernard Hopkins will make Kelly Pavlik look horrible and limited but i see him stopping Bernard Hopkins late he has the power to do so unlike Joe Calzaghe..........

But an interesting fact is that i believe Bernard Hopkins started his career at Cruiserweight which means he is naturally bigger than Kelly Pavlik........

So the question is will Kelly Pavlik's power be as much of presence at a higher weight class ?

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Hopkins debuted at Light Heavy.

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

VS

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

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Originally Posted by Master

I may be in the minority. I hope Hopkins wins.

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Why? I dont get it. Hopkins is a dirty fighter. He makes everyone look bad and off their game in the ring. I hope Pavlik crushes him so that twat from Wales has no where to hide. Daddy cant save you now Boy. Run Joe , Run Boy Run for the hills there is a monster from Youngstown coming and he
eats lighting and craps thunder.

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Originally Posted by CountryBoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsBjiVRmwgE
VS

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

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Who ever think Pavlik has a weak jab look at 1:47.

Hopkins looked like shat in his last fight, I thought Wright won, Oscar was whipping his ass until he got caught with a lucky body punch...lol, I'm just hating. Hopkins is a Legend No doubt about it. His time is over, Pavlik will knock him out.

hopkins retire

pavlik fight jc or aa

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Originally Posted by southakron314

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Originally Posted by Master

I may be in the minority. I hope Hopkins wins.

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Why? I dont get it. Hopkins is a dirty fighter. He makes everyone look bad and off their game in the ring. I hope Pavlik crushes him so that twat from Wales has no where to hide. Daddy cant save you now Boy. Run Joe , Run Boy Run for the hills there is a monster from Youngstown coming and he
eats lighting and craps thunder.

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You should not hate Hopkins because you want Joe to look crap. Remember what Hopkins did to Tarver, that was great to watch.