
Originally Posted by
Taeth
What did he do that Bernard didn't? KO Jermain Taylor?
I don't get how this type of fighter is exciting. He comes forward, he throws al ot of punches, but he doens't ahve that one punch type power that Julian Jackson or Thomas Hearns possessed, Hearns could box extremely well, and threw beautiful combinations. Julian could end a fight with any one punch. Same with Nigel Benn. They all had this fury to them that Pavlik doesn't ahve because, he's calm, but with this style its only really exciting if he can do amazing things ala Miguel Cotto, or if he has that inner fire ala Jackson, Hearns, etc. I don't mind people loving Pavlik as a person, but don't overhype his boxing ability. All I am saying is if he was around in the 90's or Hopkins wasn't 43 now, Pavlik would have been ruined. He may still get ruined by Kessler, Dawson, etc in the future, but he isn't at the caliber a lot of you state he is. There is a difference between liking a fighter, and overhyping a fighter.
1. He is an action fighter. Conversely, this is the same reason that a lot of fans hated on PBF. At welterweight, PBF was not a fan friendly fighter. He fought going backward a lot and while his combinations and speed were dazzling, rarely was he involved in devestating battles.
2. Pavlik knocked out the middleweight champion of the world, Jermain Taylor, in a decisively violent fashion. Of the fighters you compared to Pavlik, who has accomplished a similar feat?
3. Pavlik also came up the hard way, which resonates with a lot of people especially in these hard economic times.
Calzaghe is a brilliant boxer, but Americans have only recently been introduced to him and his showcase American bout was lackluster.
To boxing afficianados, Kessler is respected, but other than his Calzaghe fight, what fights have been on the world stage? Moreover, which of those fights did he thoroughly dominate his opponent?
Bad Chad is a new commodity. I think his fan base will steadily grow.
I understand why you are underwhelmed by his boxing abilities, but don't forget Pavlik is a middleweight. The fighters you mentioned who you assume would beat Pavlik are lhw's or smw's. Besides Abraham, name one middleweight in the whole world that would beat Pavlik right now.
Also, for what he does, his one-two punching style, he does very, very well.
Check out this article in ESPN's magazine on Pavlik:
ESPN - ESPN The Magazine
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