ESPN FNF thread - featuring Kelly "the reformed sod" Pavlik

[Tam Seddon]

Kelly needs to realise what a goldmine he could still be.

Hes american, a former champion and white. He can make millions again if he can.

He wont beat froch though.

I wish the dude all the best, he needs to get back to doing what made him a champion, with a few new wrinkles. I believe he's living in California now, and has a new trainer, hopefully he can turn his life and career back around.

Kelly needs to, its horrible seeing a former world champion having problems with alcohol when they can potentially still make a name for himself. I like Pavlik he's a strong fighter and is capable of doing well at the top. Let's hope he does well tonight and gets himself back in the mix at 168, he did comment on How he wasn't impressed with Froch, well I want to see the Pavlik I remembered watching when he was up for it knocking out Miranda and Taylor, Lockett etc.

It seems Pavlik has a lot of reedeming to do after the cancelling of the fights and his problems, but no doubt if he has sorted himself out and performs tonight he will get himself back up in the 168 mix.

Even if Pavlik and Abraham reclaim some of their former glory they won't beat the truly elite guys at 168. Kessler, froch, ward, are all much better than Pavlik and Abraham.

Pavlik's big wins are Miranda and Taylor twice. Not exactly a murderer's row of fights.
Abraham's big wins are Miranda and ??

not saying those guys weren't good, but 160 wasn't the true elite division that 168 has been for the last few years. If there had been the same talent at 160, that there has been at 168, then Pavlik and Abraham would have been top 10 guys and not near the top of the division.

Abraham has proved that he's not amongst the 168 elite and I don't know how he will do against Steglitz. No doubt he will want to keep hold of that belt for a while if he does win, so that takes Abraham out of the picture IMO. He will just make defences WBO Germany style, defending against other Europeian fighters so no doubt Abraham is out of the picture.

Pavlik however I don't know, I think he's more of a puncher than Abraham and with him being a former American middlleweight champion he offers a lot more to the table than Abraham does. Pavlik is relitiavlry untested at 168 and he is growing into the weight, so we will see how he gets on tonight and move forward from there. I personally wouldn't mind seeing Pavlik getting another chance as long as he does stay sober and problem free, he's enjoyable to watch and a good fighter.