Kelly Pavlik finalizes deal to fight Bernard Hopkins in October

[CountryBoy]

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
The Associated Press News Service

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

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

[CountryBoy]

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

[SigmaMu]

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

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

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

[Master]

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

[mexirican]

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

[LEGION]

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

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

[sweet science]

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?

[CountryBoy]

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

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

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

[donnydarkoIRL]

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.

[Markusdarkus]

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.

[littlebif]

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

[Poom]

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

[Tins06]

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)

[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.

[Gandalf]

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.

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.