Arum to Bunce: "Sturm in October, Froch in January is the plan"

[bzkfn]

Seems clear to me they hope to avoid Abraham. This way though, Pavlik comes out looking like the superstar of the Middleweight division, and who is there left for Abraham to fight thats meaningful? Apart from Winky or Paul Williams, he doesn't have many options at 160 other than paper opposition.

I've never met a fight fan who loathes Pavlik more. I've never read a positive post from you about Pavlik. Why would Pavlik avoid AA? Think about it - he fought Miranda when Miranda looked like the real deal and where he was a 3-1 underdog. He then fought Taylor when he was even more of an underdog. Then Taylor again when most favored him to lose. Then Bernard Hopkins. He just doesn't strike me as someone who avoids fighters.

I also agree on the point that Kessler hasn't fought a meaningful fight since losing to JC in 2007. He also hasn't fought in 8 months with no fights on the horizon and knee-deep in a promotional dispute that could drag on for another year. There is no evidence to suggest that he will ever be in pre-JC form. He didn't look amazing against Hausler et al. However, if he was in pre-JC form, he would be favored to beat Bute, Froch, Pavlik, and AA. But, that is a moot point. He isn't fighting. For now, he is irrelevant.

I didn't say Pavlik was avoiding it. What I meant was, Bob Arum doesn't fancy it. I don't loathe Kelly at all. I love his style. The guy brings action and is rarely in a dull fight. It's just if we're being honest, he and Abraham should be together in the ring. Every time Abraham tries to establish negotiations, Arum is there telling the media that someone like John Duddy or Sergio Mora makes better financial sense and would be a fight the fans want more. I mean...are you fucking kidding me? Honestly, the whole point of having Abraham come to the US to fight Miranda was to get his name in place for a big meeting with Pavlik. Then when Pavlik signed to fight Mora, Abraham was going to get his mandatory against Lorenzo out of the way in the US on the same day to again get the media talking up comparisons. Then recently a deal looked to be closing towards the end of the year, Sauerland said he was in negotiations and once again Top Rank say they're going in a different direction with Sturm. Don't get me wrong, I like the Sturm and Froch fights, but Sturm followed by Froch suggests a clear intent to move up to 168 and not fight Abraham. Like I said though...its clever, because if Arum doesn't fancy the Abraham fight for Kelly, he has taken all Abraham's options away so Kelly comes off looking like the guy who has tried to establish his career.

[OumaFan]

Pavlik is the better fighter technically, he's a better boxer but Froch is probably sturdier which could make the difference considering even though Pavlik is more technical than Froch he's not that hard to hit. I'll still go with Pavlik though as he shouldn't have a hard time landing the right hand and Froch, good chin or not, can't take those all night long.

[Rantcatrat]

Seems clear to me they hope to avoid Abraham. This way though, Pavlik comes out looking like the superstar of the Middleweight division, and who is there left for Abraham to fight thats meaningful? Apart from Winky or Paul Williams, he doesn't have many options at 160 other than paper opposition.

I've never met a fight fan who loathes Pavlik more. I've never read a positive post from you about Pavlik. Why would Pavlik avoid AA? Think about it - he fought Miranda when Miranda looked like the real deal and where he was a 3-1 underdog. He then fought Taylor when he was even more of an underdog. Then Taylor again when most favored him to lose. Then Bernard Hopkins. He just doesn't strike me as someone who avoids fighters.

I also agree on the point that Kessler hasn't fought a meaningful fight since losing to JC in 2007. He also hasn't fought in 8 months with no fights on the horizon and knee-deep in a promotional dispute that could drag on for another year. There is no evidence to suggest that he will ever be in pre-JC form. He didn't look amazing against Hausler et al. However, if he was in pre-JC form, he would be favored to beat Bute, Froch, Pavlik, and AA. But, that is a moot point. He isn't fighting. For now, he is irrelevant.

I didn't say Pavlik was avoiding it. What I meant was, Bob Arum doesn't fancy it. I don't loathe Kelly at all. I love his style. The guy brings action and is rarely in a dull fight. It's just if we're being honest, he and Abraham should be together in the ring. Every time Abraham tries to establish negotiations, Arum is there telling the media that someone like John Duddy or Sergio Mora makes better financial sense and would be a fight the fans want more. I mean...are you fucking kidding me? Honestly, the whole point of having Abraham come to the US to fight Miranda was to get his name in place for a big meeting with Pavlik. Then when Pavlik signed to fight Mora, Abraham was going to get his mandatory against Lorenzo out of the way in the US on the same day to again get the media talking up comparisons. Then recently a deal looked to be closing towards the end of the year, Sauerland said he was in negotiations and once again Top Rank say they're going in a different direction with Sturm. Don't get me wrong, I like the Sturm and Froch fights, but Sturm followed by Froch suggests a clear intent to move up to 168 and not fight Abraham. Like I said though...its clever, because if Arum doesn't fancy the Abraham fight for Kelly, he has taken all Abraham's options away so Kelly comes off looking like the guy who has tried to establish his career.

Fair enough. My thing is I don't see AA as a spoiler of Pavlik's plans. I just don't see it. I can see AA winning, but the fight would be a scrap and close. If you want to keep Pavlik away from fighters, keep him away from techinically sound, fast boxers. On that note, I can see Sturm as having the potential to sneak away with a win over Pavlik. He wouldn't hurt Kelly, but he does have boxing skills (I still pick KP). In terms of Froch, Arum probably thinks the Froch fight isn't risky and will be an entertaining fight and that is why he is even in the mix. But, it won't happen if Froch loses against Bute.