Preview - Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins
Published October 16, 2008 by Martin Bean
When I first heard that exciting Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik would be taking on Bernard Hopkins, I have to admit that I let out something of a dissatisfied groan. Pavlik has stormed to the top of the Middleweight ranks in the past 12 months and has become a boxing superstar overnight, thrilling fans with his all action style and grounded personality.
Hopkins however, we all know too well—he talks the best fight (it surprises me that he works with Golden Boy on the promotions side as Hopkins and Don King could talk for days!) but doesn’t often excite when the bell is rung. Hopkins will do whatever it takes to give himself the best chance of winning, whether that’s stretching the rules with inside work, feigning injury from low blows to give himself respite or engaging in pre fight psychological warfare.
But, as the fight has approached, I must admit to getting more and more enthused at the prospect of the contest. After all, it will tell us an awful lot as to whether Pavlik is indeed the true superstar we hope he is, or whether he still has a lot to prove. Nobody, not even a peak Roy Jones has stopped Hopkins, so if Pavlik can take him out inside the distance then it would really be an emphatic statement to the boxing world. Detractors could well claim Hopkins age has caught up with him but I don’t believe that to be the case—he’s got the body and mind of a 25 year old as he’s led a lifestyle of the strictest discipline, following his incarceration.
Let’s make it clear though, despite what the bookies think (Pavlik starts an odds on favourite), this is not a one horse race and I truly believe Hopkins has a chance of causing an upset. Hopkins style is hard to look good against, even Joe Calzaghe, the man whose work rate was expected to be too much for Hopkins, was decked and only got home on a split decision—not bad for a 43 year old man.
I’m curious as to how Pavlik will approach this fight. I think he needs to be a little more measured than usual, utilize his long arms and not get too close so that Hopkins can tie him up and unload with combinations rather than single shots when in range.
Hopkins will be happy to let Pavlik take the centre of the ring, he will try and make Pavlik come on to his right hand, that put both Calzaghe and Tarver on the canvas and general try and edge rounds rather than dominate them as Pavlik intends to.
So what happens Saturday night? Somewhere inside me I do feel that Hopkins has it in him to push this to a close decision and possibly even edge a tight victory, but Pavlik has to be the pick for me. He’s a hard working young pro who I think is hungrier for this victory even more so than the older Hopkins, who could be described as the definition of desire at times.
Pavlik will look to press Hopkins, sometimes a little too much meaning he could take some punches on the way in and he will no doubt become frustrated at times. Pavlik can come through some awkward moments to secure a points victory.
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