Ward - Pavlik ?

[p4pking]

Hard to make any sense of this one. Pavlik can surely still make some money fighting soft touches, and Ward himself isn't a huge draw. Maybe the thinking is that Pavlik won't take any more damage than he would for equivalent paydays at the weight. The only other big fights for Kelly would be Froch or Kessler, maybe Chavez Jr.. All those guys would probably take as much out of him as Ward.

I don't think there was ever much hope of Kelly actually improving or growing into a legit title contender at 168 anyways, this is more of a step back for Ward than anything.

[shza]

this is more of a step back for Ward than anything.

True, but I can't think of any fight that wouldn't be, unless he wanted to try and shed 8 lbs and fight Martinez at 160 -- which would be ill-advised (and which he's said he won't/can't do).

I suppose a rematch with Dawson at 175 technically would be a step up, but no one is clamoring for that right now.

That all said, a fight against Dirrell or a fight at 175 against Cloud would be less of a step back than this (though I also think he beats Cloud 12-0).

[TigerFan]

As a Pavlik fan...I would like to see him fight Edwin Rodriguez first before jumping in with the elite guys at 168.

Pavlik-Rodriguez makes sense for both IMO as a good crossroads fight.

[p4pking]

this is more of a step back for Ward than anything.

True, but I can't think of any fight that wouldn't be, unless he wanted to try and shed 8 lbs and fight Martinez at 160 -- which would be ill-advised (and which he's said he won't/can't do).

I suppose a rematch with Dawson at 175 technically would be a step up, but no one is clamoring for that right now.

That all said, a fight against Dirrell or a fight at 175 against Cloud would be less of a step back than this (though I also think he beats Cloud 12-0).

Good point, probably much of the reason that Pavliks people are willing to make this happen as well. I don't think Martinez would have any shot against Ward aside from having him completely drained anyways, and Golovkin looks like a real threat at 160, thats a better fight.
Was it Cloud or Pascal who was injured, and is their fight still going to happen at some point? The winner of that one is about the only worthwhile prospect for Ward in the next year or so, unless Froch steamrolls Bute again and really wants a rematch.

[Spicoli]

I'm really hoping Pavlik takes his time and finds his footing before taking his last jump at a huge name...he has almost sounds desperate to find his status again and no doubt the networks are chalking him up as a mark on name value. Understandable but his next big go will be his last and he's not ready. Not sure if he'd ever be ready for a peeking Ward style no matter. Their is not enough gauze and suture material on the shelf to put him together after Ward gets done with him.

[Rantcatrat]

this is more of a step back for Ward than anything.

True, but I can't think of any fight that wouldn't be, unless he wanted to try and shed 8 lbs and fight Martinez at 160 -- which would be ill-advised (and which he's said he won't/can't do).

I suppose a rematch with Dawson at 175 technically would be a step up, but no one is clamoring for that right now.

That all said, a fight against Dirrell or a fight at 175 against Cloud would be less of a step back than this (though I also think he beats Cloud 12-0).

Anthony or Andre Dirrell, Stevenson, Pascal, Cloud, Campillo, and those are off the top of my head. I'm sure there are other options too.

[Kirkland Laing]

I think Pavlik knows he's done, is looking for the biggest possible payday to retire on and this is it. I bet he's kicking himself that he turned down a million dollars to fight Bute a year or so ago.

[mrbig1]

I think Pavlik knows he's done, is looking for the biggest possible payday to retire on and this is it. I bet he's kicking himself that he turned down a million dollars to fight Bute a year or so ago.

Agree with every word. Never been sold on Pavlik. Froch or Ward would use him as a punching bag.