If Pavlik was a heavyweight, would the critics have called him gutless this weekend?

[RP33]

good post p4pking..

this is the big difference in comparing this fight to HW's.. Wlad is a dominating force in that division, and has a pretty constant size advantage/strength advantage over a lot of his opponents.. So if you're fighting him, and feel his power, you may think twice about taking a risk of trying to get inside(Ibragimov), but to not really attempt anything in fear of getting KO'd, is cowardly..

Pavlik didn't really have to worry too much about Hopkins power, and he was clearly willing to take chances to get hit to land a shot or two of his own.. he was just wayyyyy outclassed, and wasn't able to find Hopkins.. I don't really see the comparison, especially with using Pavlik in the example.. I mean, he's the guy who backed Miranda up, and took his shots all night long.. When people fight Wlad i just see some cowardly fights, which makes a boring fight and bad reviews.. I'm not saying that they don't have a reason to be afraid of Wlad, but they're in the ring to fight, not to be afraid to get hit..

[leftylee]

The main difference is frauds like Tony Thompson were fighting in their natural weight class and put on a poor showing. Pavlik was 10 pounds above his familiar weight class and it was clear it had a big effect on him for the worse.