Official Taylor Vs Pavlik Poll (New Pavlik Training Vid Old School Style!Pg 14!)

[CountryBoy]

The only thing that is left will be the weight!

[CountryBoy]

Pavlik is pulling ahead of Taylor= Pavlik By Decision 4 (6.5%)
Pavlik By KO/TKO 28 (45.2%)
No Contest/Draw 1 (1.6%)
Taylor By Decision 19 (30.6%)
Taylor By KO/TKO 10 (16.1%)
Edit Poll
Total Voters: 62
But This doesn't mean shat, I know I pull for Pavlik in this fight but Taylor has fought the stronger opposition. But I still think Pavlik is the more hungrier right now, and I think that will show ni the fight.

[CountryBoy]

Vindy.com Sports, Local & Regional Story
Published: Sunday, July 8, 2007

Pavlik (finally) gets shot at title
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He'll fight Jermain Taylor for the WBC crown Sept. 29 in Atlantic City.

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — As Kelly Pavlik was working his way through the middleweight ranks, knocking out pretty much everyone in his path, there were a few times he wondered whether he'd ever get his shot.

He doesn't have to wonder any longer.

The South Sider (31-0, 28 KOs) will fight WBC champion Jermain Taylor (27-0-1, 17 KOs) for the title Sept. 29 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The fight will be televised nationally on HBO.

"It's done," said Pavlik's co-manager, Cameron Dunkin. "Nothing has been signed because there's still a few details to be ironed out, but we're ready to go."

Top Rank president Bob Arum, whose organization represents Pavlik, is vacationing in Europe but has reached an agreement with Taylor's manager, Lou DiBella.

"When Bob gets back, they'll go back and forth and bicker at each other for a while," Dunkin said.

The contract must be signed by July 14, Pavlik said.


"I've heard it's definitely a go, even though we haven't signed anything yet," said Pavlik. "I'm 99.9 percent sure. But until we get something on paper, there's always that one-tenth of a percent."

Money matters

Pavlik, the WBC's No. 1 contender, was guaranteed a title shot after knocking out Edison Miranda in Memphis in May, but many wondered whether Taylor would choose to vacate his title, leaving Pavlik to face another top contender. But HBO reportedly offered more than $4.5 million for the fight, which was enough to satisfy Taylor's handlers and keep the fight off pay-per-view.

"We're still negotiating money right now," said Pavlik, who made $450,000 for the Miranda fight. "It's going to be a good bit more than the last fight, but Taylor is still hogging up most of it right now."

Said Dunkin, "We're still talking money and I'm asking for more."

Pavlik's profile got a huge boost with his dominating performance against Miranda in the undercard of Taylor's bout with Cory Spinks. Taylor won that fight by decision, but the performance didn't impress the fans, who booed the lackluster performance.

Afterward, Taylor vowed he would fight Pavlik only "if the money is right."

East Coast bout

Most observers figured September's bout would be held in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, but Caesars and Bally's Atlantic City came up with a good enough offer to sway promoters.

"They had the best offer and they always take the best offer," said Dunkin.

The site pleased Pavlik, who was hoping to fight on the East Coast so more of his friends and family (not to mention his fans) could attend. Atlantic City is about a seven-hour drive from Youngstown.

"I love it; I think it's great," said Pavlik. "It's closer. We had a good amount of fans down in Tennessee for the Miranda fight and this will allow more people to watch the fight."

Pavlik has never fought in Atlantic City, although he fought as an amateur in nearby Philadelphia. Pavlik turned pro in 2000 and never imagined it would take this long to fight for a championship.

"When I was coming up, they were putting guys in front of me and I kept taking care of business," said Pavlik. "Top Rank put me up against guys who were supposed to go the distance against me and I was taking them out early.

"But I still heard every excuse, that I wasn't fighting anybody. And I thought, 'What else do I have to do?' "

Breaking through

Pavlik finally broke through over the past few years with wins over Bronko McKart, Jose Luis Zertuche and Fulgencio Zuniga, winning the NABF title by knocking out Zuniga.

"For a while, the credit wasn't coming," Pavlik, 25, said. "There came a point in time when I wondered if I'd get a chance at the title. I wondered if some fluke was going to happen.

"The thing is, in boxing, losses come. To go 31-0 over the past seven years, I give myself a pat on the back. You can get robbed, you can get hit by a phantom punch. To try and keep that record going, it always plays on your mind."

Even after his knockout of Miranda, Pavlik's own handlers felt Taylor would duck him, opting instead to move up a weight class. Pavlik prepared himself for the worst, figuring he would at least get a title shot no matter what.

"I didn't want to get false hopes," said Pavlik. "But two weeks ago, my agent told me it was real close. Then there was talk of HBO offering good money and then I saw Taylor was running his mouth in the paper again, so that made me feel really great about it."

Hasn't started training

Pavlik, who trains with Jack Loew at the SouthSide Boxing Club, has been jogging twice a week to keep in shape, but he won't start training heavily until early August. He trained for six weeks for the Miranda fight and said training more than six or seven weeks takes its toll.

"By the time I fought Miranda, I had some aches in my lower back, my elbows and my legs," said Pavlik. "It's pretty demanding on the body."

September's fight will be the first middleweight title bout held in Atlantic City since Bernard Hopkins defeated William Joppy in December of 2003.

It will be the third major fight at Boardwalk Hall in 2007. Sultan Ibragimov won the WBO heavyweight title last month against Shannon Briggs and, Friday, Arturo Gatti will fight Alfonso Gomez in a welterweight bout.

"We worked hard and stuck through a lot," said Pavlik. "Fortunately for us, everything worked out in the end."

[southakron314]

Fight 100% signed and done deal and the fight will be in Atlantic City on September 29th.”

Edision is soo swollen he looks like a baby kitten. AWWWW!

[RuThLesS]

28 ppl voted that Pavlik is going to knock him out or tko him?? You guys cant possibly really believe that??

[english1]

taylor doesnt duck anyone and deserves respect and credit but i think he may of taken a very big bite this time

[CountryBoy]

28 ppl voted that Pavlik is going to knock him out or tko him?? You guys cant possibly really believe that??

Wow you registered just to say that. Thats amazing in itself, and yes Taylor will have his ass handed to himself on the 29th.

[southakron314]

28 ppl voted that Pavlik is going to knock him out or tko him?? You guys cant possibly really believe that??

Is your name Ruth Less. B.C for you for just joining. Did you just watch your first boxing match on Wensday . Pavlik will beat his ass. Im very shocked that Taylor didnt try to go after some one else but I guess money isnt no big thing for the white boy from south Youngstown. I think he would pay to fight Taylor.

[helminth]

I don't think Taylor has looked good in his last 4 fights, but I think he's good enough to beat Pavlik. Taylor's last 4 fights were against good and different style fighters. I like Pavlik and I think he has good power but I think Taylor is going to K.O. him.

[CountryBoy]

I don't think Taylor has looked good in his last 4 fights, but I think he's good enough to beat Pavlik. Taylor's last 4 fights were against good and different style fighters. I like Pavlik and I think he has good power but I think Taylor is going to K.O. him.

If Taylor wins it will not be by KO, It would be by decision. I honestly do not believe the hunger is there anymore for my brother from the South. This is the time for a breath of fresh here to breeze into your living rooms on the 29th. Pavlik will show his true grit,heart and power when he stops the unbeaten foe in Taylor.

[southakron314]

I don't think Taylor has looked good in his last 4 fights, but I think he's good enough to beat Pavlik. Taylor's last 4 fights were against good and different style fighters. I like Pavlik and I think he has good power but I think Taylor is going to K.O. him.

And what was your opinion of the Miranda Pavlik fight as of mid april. I bet you thaught Pantera was going to pick him apart. I predicted he would win and how he was going to win. I feel that Taylor will try to use the center of the ring more. This will allow Pavlik to fake a jab or fake alot to get the quicker Taylor to commit allowing Pavlik to counter

[southakron314]

also with Pavlik countering and Taylor letting his hands lay low he will naturally want to back up a step or two. I dont see Taylors power really effecting Pavliks chin . I think if Pavlik even lands only 30% he will still be able to knock him out. Pavlik has beaten guys that he should have not been to knock out like Zuretuchi and McCart. i just dont see anyother way than a K.O before the 10th for Pavlik.

[ghoster]

You've seen Taylor, he'll barely get a decision and it will be debated for awhile.


Seriously Taylor often does just enough to win, he hasn't looked spectacular, hasn't been overly impressive. He does get the "star" benefit in the scoring.

I hope this fight is different. Win or lose, I hope it is different.

[helminth]

I don't think Taylor has looked good in his last 4 fights, but I think he's good enough to beat Pavlik. Taylor's last 4 fights were against good and different style fighters. I like Pavlik and I think he has good power but I think Taylor is going to K.O. him.

And what was your opinion of the Miranda Pavlik fight as of mid april. I bet you thaught Pantera was going to pick him apart. I predicted he would win and how he was going to win. I feel that Taylor will try to use the center of the ring more. This will allow Pavlik to fake a jab or fake alot to get the quicker Taylor to commit allowing Pavlik to counter

My opinion of the Miranda Pavlik fight was that Pavlik beat down Miranda like a red headed step child. I thought the fight was going to be closer. I would'nt go as far to say that I thought Miranda was going to pick him apart, but maybe a knockout. But I think Taylor is alot more experienced that Miranda as of now. Call it a gut feeling. I think Taylor knows he needs to punch meat going into this fight and he will pull it off.

[southakron314]

So what technique do you think Taylor is going to use to beat Pavlik. I tell you if he ends up on the ropes as he dose with most of his 154 lbers he fights he is screwed.