Kelly Pavlik finalizes deal to fight Bernard Hopkins in October

[Master]

Pavlik will not stop Hopkins, I am quite sure of that (although I was quite sure Cotto would not be stopped by Margarito)

[Deanrw]

I cannot see Pavlik stopping Hopkins. I actually see the fight going much like the Calzaghe/Bhop fight. Hopkins will school Pavlik early, then tire some and Pavlik will start getting work in. Pavlik will then eek out a decision.

I will add this also. Pavlik had better not show a lazy jab early in the fight, or he may just end up on his ass like Joe did.

[Pugilistic]

Hopkins isn't stupid, he wouldn't of taken a fight with Pavlik if he didn't think he could last the distance with him.

Pavliks power at 170 won't be all that great, he will have alot of trouble landing on Hopkins, if Hopkins can make a guy like calzaghe with fast feet and hands miss often imagine how many pavlik will land.

Pavlik might win a close decision by throwing more but he won't look good at all. He was stupid to take this fight.

[mexirican]

This could be a scary fight for Kelly, but to be a great champ you have to face and defeat great champs. I somewhat understand the reasons for signing this fight. Out of all the names that came up to be his next opponent B-hop was the smarter choice considering what's at stake in the future. The money (50-50 split) must have worked, but more importantly it lines him up with Calzaghe. Kelly has made it very clear that after he beat Taylor twice his goal was to square off with Calzaghe. According to Calzaghe, Kelly or the people he has faced aren't near his level (bunch of BS). So this is why it makes sense to take the chance and fight B-hop. If B-hop is on Calzaghe's level and he had trouble beating B-hop convincingly, than Kelly has to fight B-hop to prove to Calzaghe (not that Kelly should or needs to) that he is the real deal. After Kelly KO's B-hop i'm curious to see what Calzaghe does, I hope the slapper keeps his word and fights Kelly. I see this fight going similar to the Cotto-Margarito fight. Like Cotto B-hop will to some eyes and judges be winning the fight, but like Margarito Kelly will stalk and walk down B-hop till the pressure (7-8 rd.) becomes to much. Kelly doesn't slap and his KO percentage proves this B-hop will be a nice name on the long and growing list of KO's.