To Kelly Pavlik: The Title’s In Your Sites. Keep Your Eye On Bob Arum
by MooheadFebruary 5, 2007 10:37 pm
I’ve been watching Kelly Pavlik fight. It’s always hard to tell how good a fighter really is. Pavlik is not the first 29-0 guy to challenge for a title. Boxing history is full of undefeated challengers. There are 2 things they say about undefeated fighters: They don’t know how to lose (that’s good). They don’t know how to lose (that’s bad).
I know what you’re thinking. Perhaps you think Mr Moohead has taken one too many left hooks. But bear with me. There are 2 ways fighters are undefeated challengers.
1) They are truly talented and have blown all their opponents away
2) They haven’t really fought anyone
The danger in the fight game is the second one. and sometimes it’s hard to tell from the first one. A fighter like Pavlik looks great against Bronco McKart and Jose Luis Zuertuche, and the first thing you want to do is believe. But here are a few things to ponder.
a) McKart was fighting up one weight class and was well past his prime
b) Zuertuche was 6 inches shorter than Kelly, and many years older
c) Both fighters stood in front of Pavlik and absorbed punishment. They were slow handed
d) Zuertuche is promoted by Arum and had 3 losses. Pavlik is promoted by Arum and is undefeated.
Bob Arum is no fool. He wasn’t gonna throw Kelly into the Pond in Anaheim with a truly dangerous guy. He also knew that McKart had seen better days. A spotless 29-0 record looks good going into a title fight. And this is the biggest threat to Pavlik. He’s going to walk into a title fight thinking he can knock down whatever is in front of him. And that may not be the case.
Many of the greatest boxers in history learned from losses and tough wins. Marvin Hagler lost to Willie Monroe and Bugaloo Watts long before he fought for a title. Azumah Nelson lost as a young man to Salvador Sanchez in his first title fight. He became a great champion. Hearns learned from a loss to Leonard. If Pavlik steps in against Jermain Taylor or Edwin Miranda, how will he respond to being hurt? From what well will he draw, when he digs for strength?
It’s a big leap from Zuertuche to Taylor. Taylor is fast and strong. He hits like a mule. Pavlik cannot stand in front of him. He will have to move. He will need to take Taylor deep into the fight and wrest the title with grit and determination. Taylor will not lay down. He will try to take Kelly out within 7 rounds.
In Bob Arum’s world, young undefeated challengers keep the game going. If Pavlik loses, Arum can bring him back to Y-town and sell out the Chevy Centre. He can rebuild the aura around Pavlik. Arum takes no punches.
In a just world, Kelly Pavlik would have to fight one guy before Taylor. Somebody who can push him. Someone who has a 50% chance of whipping him. There’s an old saying in boxing. “You learn more from one loss than you do in 10 wins”. Take heed, Kelly. Don’t believe the hype they’re selling you. You’re not fighting for Arum or Youngstown. This is your life. Your career. Move against Taylor or Miranda. Learn your craft. If you lose a decision, you’ll be smarter the next time out. If a voice is telling you you’re invincible, don’t listen.
Youngstown is already proud of you. Play your cards right, and you’ll be a champion. Fight hard, yes. Fight smart. Absolutely. “The Ghost” doesn’t bludgeon opponents. He sneaks up on them and surprises them. But when you enter the ring, remember that your career is still beginning. Don’t let the promoter establish your fight plan.
We’re all behind you, win or lose.
February 6th, 2007 at 3:02 am
He shouldn’t be scared of Taylor because Taylor’s strength is overrated.
February 6th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Not scared. But be aware that Taylor has seen Bernard Hopkins for 24 rounds. He’s been in with better guys. And be aware that standing in front of Taylor will get him killed. When a fighter starts believing his entourage, trouble starts. I hope Kelly listens to voices of reason and fights a wise fight.
February 7th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Jermaine Taylor will kill Pavlik. Taylor is a beast. He hits hard. He moves fast. He has beaten the unbeatable in Hopkins. Pavlik is in the wrong weight class anyways. He should move up to a different weight class and add a little muscle. He’s 6′2 fighting at 160 now.
March 1st, 2007 at 1:51 am
This opinion is kind of all over the place… First point is that Pavlik is 30-0 not 29-0. The opinionated writer should get these simple facts straight. The writer makes Taylor and Miranda out to be more than Pavlik,,, not the case at all. Pavlik annihilated 2006 Contender Champ Grady Brewer in 2 rounds. Taylor went the whole 8 rounds to a decision with Brewer. Pavlik annihilated a solid Bronco McKart. McKart fought Winky Wright 3 times to a decision… Wright pounded Taylor with soft punches, he negated Taylor’s “power” with solid defense and getting him past 6 rounds. Taylor was essentially impotent after 6. The difference between Wright and Pavlik after 6 is that Pavlik will throw hard shots until the final bell.
Taylor will get KO’ed. No decision. No escape.
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