Kelly Pavlik RULED

[Beanflicker]

So underrated this guy. Huge power, great workrate, underrated boxing skill. He was outboxing Martinez until the cut IMO.

It's a shame he let the booze ruin him as a fighter, he was really fun to watch.

[Beanflicker]

Boxing needs more fights like this, and less like Klitschko/Povetkin!

[ElTerribleMorales]

Kelly proved that he wasn't able to deal with adversity and was mentally weak when pushed, he would crumble which is a shame

[Beanflicker]

What? when was this proved?

[Memphis]

Say what you like about the guy the Miranda fight was special. Gripping fight that looked like it could go either way.

[armin]

Kelly proved that he wasn't able to deal with adversity and was mentally weak when pushed, he would crumble which is a shame

I don't think mentally weak is accurate, he never quit that takes a certain fortitude...he did lack the ability to adapt inside the ring and obviously his inner demons outside the ring are proving/proved to much to overcome to have a long career.

[p4pking]

I think he lacked the physical tools to adapt to certain styles, he wasn't remotely "weak" or anything like that. He was a great accumulative puncher when he got into a rhythm, but since he wasn't nearly as fast or slick as some he sort of died by the same sword once he was getting beat to the punch. Perhaps he wasn't always in top condition, and he didn't have a rock solid chin either, but there was never a point in a fight where he stopped trying to win imo.

[El Kabong]

Taylor beat him in the rematch, FACT

[Memphis]

Say what you like about the guy the Miranda fight was special. Gripping fight that looked like it could go either way.

Actually scratch that, it seemed a nip and tuck fight when I watched it live. Pavlik pretty much steam rolled him.

Great fight, Larry getting all steamed up and Lennox providing shite commentary. It had it all.

[ElTerribleMorales]

Kelly proved that he wasn't able to deal with adversity and was mentally weak when pushed, he would crumble which is a shame

I don't think mentally weak is accurate, he never quit that takes a certain fortitude...he did lack the ability to adapt inside the ring and obviously his inner demons outside the ring are proving/proved to much to overcome to have a long career.

he had heart, but I mean that he wasn't able to deal with emotion in a positive way, it reflected in and out of the ring

[Violent Demise]

I think he lacked the physical tools to adapt to certain styles, he wasn't remotely "weak" or anything like that. He was a great accumulative puncher when he got into a rhythm, but since he wasn't nearly as fast or slick as some he sort of died by the same sword once he was getting beat to the punch. Perhaps he wasn't always in top condition, and he didn't have a rock solid chin either, but there was never a point in a fight where he stopped trying to win imo.

Go watch the Hopkins fight. He pretty much stopped trying the last half of the fight. He continued coming forward but everybody knew he needed a knock out. And he never even tried for it. Hopkins exposed him as being one-dimensional. Hopkins took away Trinidad's left hook and left him hopeless. With Pavlik he took away his right hand. Pavlik had no idea what to do than.

[IamInuit]

Kelly proved that he wasn't able to deal with adversity and was mentally weak when pushed, he would crumble which is a shame

I don't think mentally weak is accurate, he never quit that takes a certain fortitude...he did lack the ability to adapt inside the ring and obviously his inner demons outside the ring are proving/proved to much to overcome to have a long career.

That is pretty much the thick of it but @ElTerribleMorales has a point even if he was just referencing the Hopkins fight. I kept telling people that the old dog was going to school him because his rinse and repeat style was ready made for Hop.I think that fight took him over the edge. He believed all of his own hype and the pundits that had him as the huge favourite in the fight. He was most likely already teetering on the edge or at least well into the pickling process before that fight but after that the guy was done really.

[p4pking]

I've seen that fight a handful of times. I know you have a pretty broad idea of what giving up means, but I don't buy that. He couldn't land flush on Hopkins late on, all of his energy was being used against him the whole fight, that's exactly what I meant. Had he tried to force the issue he would have most likely gotten knocked out himself. He was kept on a leash and had his output reduced to nothing, but he was still trying. There's a difference between not being effective and not going postal and getting stretchered out once you're behind.

[Spicoli]

The first Taylor fight was something special. It was clear he wasn't the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree as it was in Hopkins and Martinez fight but he came back in a big way there. Last time I saw him go wobbly and nearly get ko'd laughing at a guy. Crazy moment. I do think he resigned himself in Hopkins fight, he didn't quit but Hopkins schooled badly and he knew it late.

[Violent Demise]

I've seen that fight a handful of times. I know you have a pretty broad idea of what giving up means, but I don't buy that. He couldn't land flush on Hopkins late on, all of his energy was being used against him the whole fight, that's exactly what I meant. Had he tried to force the issue he would have most likely gotten knocked out himself. He was kept on a leash and had his output reduced to nothing, but he was still trying. There's a difference between not being effective and not going postal and getting stretchered out once you're behind.

Obviously he didn't quit. And yes he was still coming forward throwing the same thing over and over. But like I said everybody knew he needed a knock out. And he never went for it. He had accepted his defeat