Distributing Abraham-Marquez world title fight

Posted on | October 16, 2008 | No Comments

Integrated Sports

Broadcast live Nov. 8 from Germany

HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 16, 2008) – Integrated Sports will distribute the long awaited November 8th showdown between unbeaten International Boxing Federation middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham and top contender Raul “El Diamente” Marquez, in the United States and Canada, live from Germany.

Abraham-Marquez, originally scheduled October 4, was postponed due to Abraham’s sudden illness on the day of the fight and rescheduled for Nov. 8 at the same site, Jako Arena, in Bamberg, Germany.

Abraham-Marquez is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland, presented by Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DISH Network,Viewer’s Choice Canada, and Bell ExpressVue, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. iN Demand will show a replay the following day (Sunday, Nov. 9) at 2 PM/ET. Al Bernstein and Nick Charles will call the action.

Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs), rated No. 1 by The Ring and ESPN, is coming off of his first fight in the United States (Hollywood, FL), stopping Edison Miranda (30-2) in the second round of their June 21st non-title fight in explosive fashion. Abraham, however, remains somewhat of a curiosity factor in North America in terms of being a serious threat for Kelly Pavlik in a potential unification bout.

“King” Arthur captured the IBF middleweight title nearly three years ago by way of a fifth-round knockout of Kingsley Ikeke (23-1). Seven successful title defenses have followed against Miranda, Shannon Taylor, Kofi Jantuah, Sebastian Demers, Khoren Gevor, Wayne Elcock and Elvin Ayala.

The 37-year-old Marquez (41-3-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 2 by the IBF as well as No. 8 by The Ring and ESPN, earned his title shot against Abraham by defeating previously unbeaten No. 1 contender Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0) in their IBF title eliminator on the June 21st Abraham-Miranda card. Marquez, fighting out of Houston, was a 1992 U.S. Olympian who was the IBF junior middleweight title-holder in 1997.

Despite taking off 1 ½ years to work as a broadcaster for HBO’s boxing telecasts in Spanish, Raul is more experienced in the ring than Abraham – 269 to 161 in rounds fought – having been in against world champions Jermain Taylor, Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas and Yori Boy Campas.

The 10-round co-feature on the PPV show from Germany has former NABO champion Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (19-3-2, 7 KOs), of Sacramento, taking on Yugoslavian-born Enad Licina (14-1, 8 KOs), now living in Germany, for the vacant IBF Intercontinental cruiserweight belt. Additional undercard bouts to be part of the PPV card will soon be announced.

For more information about the Abraham-Marguez PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com or www.warriorsboxing.com

-IS-

UNBEATEN FLYWEIGHTS RAUL MARTINEZ, VICTOR PROA TOP NOV. 14 FIGHT CARD, AT PHILADELPHIA’S NEW ALHAMBRA

Posted on | October 16, 2008 | No Comments

Philadelphia, PA—A pair of undefeated super flyweights, Raul Martinez, of San Antonio, TX, and Victor Proa, of Monterrey, Mexico, meet in the scheduled 10-round main event Friday evening, Nov. 14, at the New Alhambra, Swanson & Ritner Streets, next to Forman Mills, in South Philadelphia. First of eight fights at 7.30 p.m.

The Martinez-Proa contest, as well as the 10-round welterweight semifinal between Alex Camacho, of Austin, TX, and Edvan Barros, of Bahia, Brazil, will be televised live by Telefutura/Univision as part of a two-hour Solo Boxeo broadcast beginning at 8pm EST.

Martinez, 26, is ranked among the best super flyweights (115 pounds) in the world by all major ratings organizations. His 23-0 record includes 13 knockouts.

In his last fight July 25 at the Table Mountain Casino in Friant, CA, Martinez earned a 12-round decision over Isidro Garcia, of Los Angeles, CA.

Proa, 23, is on the verge of a world ranking, boasting a 26-0-2 record with 19 K0s.

In his last fight Sept. 25 in Monterrey, Proa earned a repeat win over Arturo Estrada, of Tampico, Mexico, via=2 010-round decision.

Camacho, 27, is 16-1, 15 K0s, losing only to slick lefty Terrance Cauthen, of Trenton, NJ, in his last fight July 16 in San Antonio. Camacho chased the elusive Cauthen all night, but could not catch him. He won’t have to go looking for Barros, now living in Boca Raton, FL.

Barros, 27, is 9-5-1, 7 K0s, and he dropped a 10-round decision to former WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo, of Queens, NY, in his last fight Jan. 19 in Madison Square Garden.

The show is being promoted by Top Rank, Inc., in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions and Joe Hand Promotions.

Five preliminary fights, including an eight-rounder featuring unbeaten super bantamweight Teon Kennedy, of Philadelphia, complete the card.

Tickets priced at $65, $55 and $40 are on sale at Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or by going online at www.peltzboxing.com.

Category: Blogroll, Boxing
Tags: Boxing > Mexico > Monterrey > New Alhambra > PA > Philadelphia > Raul Martinez > San Antonio > South Philadelphia > Texas > Victor Proa

CASINO RAMA TO HOST HISTORIC UNIFICATION BOUT

Posted on | October 16, 2008 | No Comments

Historic Unification Bout Takes Place at Casino Rama

IBF and WBA Champions battle for Unification Title at Rumble at Rama VI

MNJIKANING (RAMA), ON (Wednesday, October 15, 2008) – History will be made on November 21st when Casino Rama hosts the first boxing title unification to ever take place on Canadian soil. In one corner, IBF Junior Featherweight champion, “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor (28-0, 11 KO’s), looks to defend his belt and make history as the first Canadian to hold a unified title. In the other corner, WBA champion Celestino Caballero (30-2, 21 KO’s) looks to end Molitor’s winning streak and take both belts for himself.
“This is the biggest fight our country has seen since Roberto Duran fought Sugar Ray Leonard in Montreal more than 25 years ago,” said Allan Tremblay, President of Orion Sports Management. “A unification fight has never taken place here before, and based on those odds, it’s unlikely to ever happen again in our lifetime.”

Molitor has become a beloved national figure in Canada, making all five of his title defenses at Casino Rama, mere hours away from his hometown of Sarnia. His combination of otherworldly technical skills and fierce fighting fury has made him one of the top practitioners of the “sweet science” the world over.

While Molitor is an A-list sports celebrity in Canada, Caballero is equally revered in his native Panama, combining his relentless attacking style and unique 5′ 11″ build into one of the most complex physical puzzles in the sport.

“I’ve always said that the true fighter in me comes out when I’m really challenged or my back is to the wall,” said Molitor. “The tougher the competition, the fiercer I become in the ring. I welcome this opportunity to show Caballero exactly what I’m made of.”

Both fighters will be making their sixth defense of their respective crowns, with Molitor fresh off a 10th round TKO of Argentina’s Ceferino Dario Labarda at Rumble at Rama V in August. Caballero is still riding the momentum of a devastating first round knock out over Elvis Meija last month in Panama City.

Both fighters also share a similar path to their respective titles, with each having traveled into hostile territory and capturing their slice of boxing glory.

In November of 2006, Molitor went to Hartlepool, England to battle local hero Michael Hunter for the vacant IBF belt and returned home with the belt around his waist courtesy of a fifth round TKO.
A little over one month prior to Molitor claiming the IBF crown, Caballero found himself in Wat Ban Rai, Thailand opposite then WBA champ Somsak Sithchatchawal, who was making the first defense of his crown. Caballero made sure there wouldn’t be a second, battering Sithchatchawal about the ring early and often, earning a third round TKO win, and the WBA’s Super Bantamweight (122 Lbs) bragging rights.

In addition to the main event, Rumble at Rama VI will feature a loaded undercard that brings back a number of fan favourites.

“The Rumble at Rama series has been an unprecedented success that has provided a whole new level of live entertainment for our guests,” says Jeff Craik, Vice President, Marketing for Casino Rama. “The collaboration between Casino Rama and Orion Sports has not only changed the face of boxing in Ontario, it has made our venue the site of sports history in the making.”

The fight will be televised live in the United States on SHOWTIME’s popular ShoBox series and across Canada on TSN commencing at 11:00 P.M. ET.

“This promises to be one of the most-anticipated matches in Canadian boxing history,” said Phil King, President, TSN. “We are thrilled to join Casino Rama and Orion Sports Management to bring this momentous unification bout to Canadians.”
“It took a combination of intense negotiating, timing, and creative thinking to make this possible,” said Allan Tremblay. “In particular, I want to credit the extraordinary efforts put forth by Leon Margules, Executive Director of Warriors’ Boxing, and super agent Sampson Lewkowicz in making this dream a reality.”

Tickets for Rumble at Rama VI are $50/$75/$125/$175. Advanced ticket purchase for Players PassportTM Club Members begins Wednesday, October 15th at 12 noon, in-person only at the Casino Rama Box Office. Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Friday, October 17th at 12 noon, and will be available in-person at the Casino Rama Box Office, at all TicketMaster locations, by calling (416) 870-8000 and online at www.casinorama.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes or service charges.

Orion Sports Management is an Ontario based promotional company known for staging first-class boxing events. Run by former Canadian Airline executive Allan Tremblay, Orion is the force behind Ontario’s biggest match ups, from their launch event at The Air Canada Centre (“The Night Of The Hurricane”) to a series of televised events in the Niagara region featuring “Baby Joe” Mesi, Razor Ruddock, Egerton Marcus, and Steve Molitor.

Operating 24-hours a day, seven days a week since July 31, 1996, Casino Rama is Ontario’s only First Nations commercial casino. The Casino offers a complete entertainment experience with over 2,500 slot machines, more than 110 gaming tables, ten unique restaurants, a world-class 5,000 seat Entertainment Centre and a 300-room all-suite, full-service hotel, featuring spa and health club facilities. Casino Rama is operated by Penn National Gaming, Inc.

– 30 –

Category: Blogroll, Boxing
Tags: Boxing > Canada > Casino Rama > Celestino Caballero > IBF > junior featherweight > Steve Molitor > WBA

TAKEDOWN RADIO REPORT

Posted on | October 16, 2008 | No Comments

Back from Las Vegas and the hospitality of Randy and Kim Couture and their extended Family. Thanks to one and all who made this weekend a memorable one. A special thank you to our friends at the Las Vegas Hooters Casino and Hotel and to Film Star and comedian Bobby Slayton who made his stage available to us for our video interviews.

This week we fire up the mobile Brute Adidas studios and head up to Brad Penrith’s House, West Gym and the University of Northern Iowa Panthers. We will shoot this for the new TDR web site as well as audio distribution. Something new and something old. It’s getting to be wrestling season and I can’t wait.

Tune in this week to Takedownradio.com Saturday for 9 AM to 11 AM CST for America’s Wrestling Radio Talk Show, Takedown Wrestling Radio. Thanks for listening and for watching.

Category: Blogroll, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, wrestling
Tags: Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > sports radio > Takedown Radio > wrestling

McGirt returns Nov. 11 as proven prospect

Posted on | October 16, 2008 | No Comments

VERO BEACH, Florida (October 14, 2008) – How a pro boxer responds to adversity usually separates contenders from pretenders. Highly-regarded world middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (19-1, 9 KOs), coming off of his first career loss, passed his first major test June 25 on national television, winning a unanimous 10-round decision against former IBO and WBU middleweight champion Raymond “Hallelujah” Joval (37-5, 16 KOs).

McGirt, who returns to the ring November 11 on “Bad Boys” (Glen Johnson and Edision Miranda headline the card in separate bouts) against an opponent to be determined in Hollywood (FL), successfully bounced back from his first pro loss in April to Carlos DeLeon, Jr., serving as a valuable lesson for James who had floored DeLeon at the end of the sixth round, only to get careless going for a knockout in the seventh and consequently getting stopped himself.

McGirt has started to establish his own identity, somewhat breaking from the shadows of his father and head trainer, 2-time world champion James “Buddy” McGirt – James doesn’t use the nickname “Buddy” – with his win against Joval that catapulted him into the No. 8 spot in The Ring magazine’s ratings, as well as No. 14 in the latest World Boxing Council rankings.

“I felt better about myself after the Joval fight,” James said, “but it didn’t erase the loss (to DeLeon). But I did beat The Ring’s No. 8 rated middleweight (Joval). I beat a well experienced fighter, but I still have to whoop Carlos DeLeon so I can sleep good again at night.”

McGirt recently shifted training camp from Vero Beach to Las Vegas, where his father is preparing Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi for his November 22nd showdown against Ricky Hatton. “I’ve had a real good training camp and it’s going to get even better in Las Vegas,” James remarked. “I don’t know who I’m fighting but it doesn’t matter. Whoever it is, he’s going to have to worry about me. Paulie’s getting ready for his big fight with Hatton. My dad is his trainer, so I’m going where he is, and I respect that. I need to get away anyway. I’ve been home too long. I’ll be working harder out there and will be able to focus even more. It’s going to help get me in the right frame of mind with five weeks to go so I can go kick some butt. I can promise you this: I will be ready to fight on November 11th.”

-JM-

Category: Blogroll, Boxing
Tags: Boxing > Carlos DeLeon Junior > Edison Miranda > Florida > Glen Johnson > Hollywood > IBO > James McGirt Junior > Las Vegas > Paulie Malignaggi > Raymond Joval > Ricky Hatton > VERO BEACH > WBC > WBU

Preview and prediction: Kelly Pavlik VS. Bernard Hopkins

Posted on | October 14, 2008 | 1 Comment

By Tony Penecale

Bernard Hopkins is a man that nobody wants to fight. While it is apparent that he is no longer the fighter he was in his prime, the 43-year-old Philadelphia warrior is still full of tricks and has an uneventful style that it is almost impossible to look good against. Kelly Pavlik is the upcoming sensation, a 26-year-old wrecking ball from the once-proud industrial town of Youngstown. Pavlik is more than happy to put his middleweight title on the shelf and step up to face the legendary Hopkins at a catch-weight of 170 lbs. Can the young gladiator stake his claim as the top dog and send Hopkins into retirement? Or does the old master still have enough tricks up his sleeve to thwart Pavlik?

STATISTICS

Pavlik:
Age – 26 years old
Height – 6’2”
Weight – 159 lbs (last bout on 6/7/08)
Reach – 75”
Record – 34-0 (30)

Hopkins:
Age – 43 years old
Height – 6’1”
Weight – 173 lbs (last bout on 4/19/08)
Reach – 75”
Record – 48-5-1 (32)

RING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Pavlik:
WBC Middleweight Champion (’07-Pres)
WBO Middleweight Champion (’07-Pres)
Ring Magazine Middleweight Champion (’07-Pres)

Hopkins:
IBF Middleweight Champion (’95-‘05)
WBC Middleweight Champion (’01-‘05)
WBA Middleweight Champion (’01-’05)
WBC Welterweight Champion (’97-’99, ’00)
WBO Middleweight Champion (’04-’05)
Ring Magazine Middleweight Champion (’01-’05)
IBO Light Heavyweight Champion (’06-‘08)
Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Champion (’06-‘08)
Pound-for-Pound #1 Boxer (’02-’05)

STYLE

Pavlik:
A tall and lanky brawler who likes to mix it up and throw knockout-caliber punches. Possesses crippling power in both hands and a fearless attitude. Often ignores height and reach advantages and presses the action, fighting in the trenches, turning bouts into wars of attrition. Stalks patiently behind his jab and then opens his arsenal. Is open to counter punches but does not deter him from pressing the attack. Is more physically imposing than his appearance leads you to believe.

Hopkins:
Is no longer the fighter who would apply pressure from the opening bell, winging right hands and left hooks until his opponent succumbed. That version of Hopkins evolved into the patient boxer-puncher seen today several years ago. Uses footwork and works angles well to keep opponents moving and off-balance, dictating the pace with his jab and opening up opportunities for his sharp straight right and left hook. Once in close, will attack the body and use rough-house tactics on the inside, including low blows and elbows. Is also a very tough and physically strong fighter. While still in top-notch condition, is no longer able to fight hard for three minutes a round and he compensates by picking his opportunities.

STRENGTHS

Pavlik:
1) Power – Pavlik is a highlight-reel puncher. Has the ability to knock an opponent out with one shot. His jab is thudding. The straight right is his best punch but is also capable of ending a bout with a left hook.
2) Poise – Pavlik keeps his composure when under fire. Not afraid to walk into opponent’s danger zone and is anxious to retaliate when hit. Was down and in serious trouble in his first against Taylor, but was able to weather the storm and regain his senses.
3) Range – Pavlik is a tall fighter with long arms. He can land his power punches from the outside, but is also an effective puncher in close. Was able to outjab the more athletic Taylor and set up openings for booming rights from afar and left hooks inside.

Hopkins:
1) Student of the Game – There is not a style today that Hopkins hasn’t seen. From his early career in Philadelphia clubs all the way to his PPV main events, Hopkins has faced and defeated all types of styles including a number of devastating punchers.
2) Defense – Trying to land a clean punch, much less a combination, on Hopkins is like trying to hold water in your hands. Hopkins will block, slip, and parry most punches that come his way, but his best defensive maneuver is the “shoulder roll” where he will make his opponent miss by rolling with the punch and then fire back with a right hand or uppercut at his wide-open adversary.
3) Confidence – Hopkins believes that he can handle any opponent at any weight. He is fearless in the ring and will not back down. Often times, his steely demeanor will have opponents unnerved and already beaten when they step into the ring.

WEAKNESSES

Pavlik:
1) Ignores Defense – Pavlik focuses so much on his own offense, he leaves himself open to be hit with flush punches. Often keeps his hands low when moving in to throw punches. In the first fight against Taylor, it almost proved disastrous.
2) Tender Skin – Pavlik has skin that easily damages from opponent’s punches. In many bouts, he has come out with an assortment of bruises and lumps. Not only can it affect his vision, but it can be a negative influence on the judges.
3) Lack of Speed – Pavlik lacks natural hand and foot speed. Is often plodding in the ring. Compensates by getting his punches off first.

Hopkins:
1) Age – All great fighters will age and it is now showing on Hopkins. He can no longer fight at a bristling pace and his inability to do so allows him to get outworked and outscored during stretches of the bout.
2) Enemies – Hopkins has a reputation of making enemies, whether it is battling with promoters, arguing with broadcasters, throwing an opponent’s flag on the ground, or as he did most recently, making racial comments. While this often doesn’t equate to an in-ring weakness, it does leave a sour taste in the mouth of many officials, and can be very influential in close fights.
3) Fading Power – The Executioner’s Axe seems to have dulled over the years. The younger version of Hopkins was capable of taking out an opponent with one punch like he did to Steve Frank and Joe Lipsey. Those who stood up to his punches were issued frightful beatings. The modern version of Hopkins doesn’t carry the same pop in his gloves. Only one of his last six wins has ended inside the distance.

BEST PERFORMANCES

Pavlik:
1) Edison Miranda (5/19/07) – Miranda was touted to be the new HBO star and Pavlik was seen as a mere stepping stone on the way to a dream match with Taylor. But Pavlik took the fight to Miranda from the start, making good on his word to back Miranda on his heels, and blasting him with power punches. Pavlik finally crumbled Miranda with a monster hook in the 6th round and put the finishing touches on in the 7th.
2) Jermain Taylor (9/29/07) – Pavlik didn’t allow Taylor to box, using a stiff jab to negate Taylor’s. Survived a brutal 2nd round, climbing off the canvas after absorbing a Taylor barrage of punches. Pavlik cleared his head and resumed his offensive attack in the 3rd, forcing Taylor on his heels. With Taylor curiously ahead after six rounds, Pavlik finished the job, trapping Taylor in a corner and hammering him to the canvas with a series of power punches, annexing his title in the process.
3) Jose Luis Zertuche (1/27/07) – Zertuche had never been down in his boxing career (pro or amateur). Pavlik made sure to change that punishing him, knocking him down for the first time with a left hook. In the 8th round, Pavlik finished his impressive display with a crushing right hand that sent Zertuche face-face to the canvas, unconscious before he hit the mat.

Hopkins:
1) Felix Trinidad (9/29/01) – Hopkins was the IBF and WBC middleweight champion coming into this unification bout but he was overshadowed by the Puerto Rican superstar and a 3-1 underdog going in. While he promised to match Trinidad in a rough and dirty fight, he shocked everyone, especially Trinidad, by boxing early and building a commanding lead. Trinidad was visibly frustrated going into the latter half of the bout and attacked without abandon. Hopkins took full advantage and punished Trinidad with a variety of power punches, wobbling him at the end of the 10th before finishing him in the 12th to become the unified champion and owner of the Sugar Ray Robinson trophy.
2) Glen Johnson (7/20/97) – At the time, it looked like this bout was a masterful win over a boxer with an undefeated albeit padded record. It has become more impressive considering that Johnson has since won versions of the light heavyweight title and scored a spectacular knockout over Roy Jones. Johnson came into the bout with an impressive punch, solid chin, and rugged determination. But it was all Hopkins from the opening bell as he dished out a frightful beating on the inside. Hopkins continued the assault each round, forcing the referee to visit Johnson’s corner several times, before finally halting the contest in the 11th.
3) Robert Allen (2/6/99) – In their first encounter, six months prior, Allen had greatly troubled Hopkins with his physical southpaw style before an aggressive Mills Lane attempt to break a clinch resulted in Hopkins falling out of the ring and spraining an ankle. Before the rematch, Allen boasted that Hopkins had taken the easy way out and would be dethroned in the rematch. The Hopkins that entered the ring was focused and seething and punished Allen without mercy, knocking him down in the 2nd and 6th rounds. Allen’s only chance was to try and initiate a disqualification by flopping every time Hopkins landed on his waistline. Another brutal volley in the 7th forced the referee to stop the bout, amid protests from Allen’s camp, to which the referee responded “I don’t see him (Allen) complaining.”

LAST BOUT
Pavlik:
KO 3 Gary Lockett (6/14/08) – It was a mandatory title defense which proved to be an utter mismatch. Pavlik stalked Lockett from the start, landing his jab and right hand and will. Lockett was sent to the canvas three times before the slaughter was halted in the 3rd round.

Hopkins:
Split Decision Loss to Joe Calzaghe (4/19/08) – In a bout for the Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight title, Hopkins started fast, dropping the undefeated Welsh fighter with a right hand. But Calzaghe fought back and outworked Hopkins over the last five rounds to pull out a split decision win.

QUESTIONS

Pavlik:
1) Will Pavlik leave himself open to Hopkins counter punches?
2) Will Pavlik be frustrated by Hopkins clinching and dirty tactics?
3) Can he be the first man to knock out Hopkins?

Hopkins:
1) If he falls behind early, can Hopkins rally down the stretch?
2) Will Hopkins be able to fight three minutes a round?
3) How will Hopkins neutralize Pavlik’s power?

THE PREDICTION

Even though, by proximity, Hopkins is close to his own backyard, it will be the legions of Pavlik faithful that make him the crowd favorite. But Hopkins likes to play the role of the villain so he will feel more at home in that role.

Pavlik will start by moving forward, trying to find the range on Hopkins. Hopkins will move laterally, with his hands high, and throwing a few pawing jabs. Pavlik will throw his jab but have little success in landing it. Hopkins will time and land a right hand and then move into a clinch, trying to land a few shots to Pavlik’s ribs and hips on the inside. The crowd will immediately voice displeasure with Hopkins tactics.

Pavlik will keep applying pressure in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, but unlike Calzaghe who was successful in throwing volleys of light punches to keep Hopkins on the defensive; these punches will be harder but slower, giving Hopkins a better opportunity to counter. Hopkins will find home for single counter right hands and will follow up by tying up Pavlik and trying to rough him up on the inside.

Hopkins will come up for the 4th round, on his toes, with his left hand low and right cocked. Pavlik will try to exploit the opening to land his right, but it will be Hopkins rolling with the punch and countering with several straight rights and uppercuts. But Hopkins will be his own worst enemy as every time he scores effectively, he will clinch and try to grapple with Pavlik on the inside. Realizing that Hopkins has a tight, nearly impenetrable defense, Pavlik will concentrate on landing punches on Hopkins shoulders and chest, trying to score points and wear him down in the process.

Pavlik’s steady pressure in the 5th will force Hopkins to keep his guns holstered as he will need to play defense. Pavlik will not have a lot of success landing flush punches but he will be throwing two punches to every one for Hopkins and will be outworking him throughout the round. Pavlik will land a solid right hand to the jaw but the steel-chinned Hopkins will smile and roll his shoulders. Late in the round, a clash of head will cause a small cut next to Pavlik’s left eye.

The pattern will remain throughout the 6th through 8th rounds with Pavlik moving forward, trying to land leather on the slippery veteran. Hopkins will counter with hard, single punches and an occasional elbow, but for the most part, he will engage Pavlik in a wrestling warfare, trying to out-muscle him and wear him out on the inside.

Hopkins will sense he is behind on the cards and he will open up and try to swing the momentum in his favor, cutting down on his movement and standing in front of Pavlik. Pavlik will land a few jabs and Hopkins will be short with a counter right hand but he will step in with a hard hook to the body that hurts Pavlik. Undeterred, Pavlik will try to land his own body shots, and a brief back-and-forth exchange of punches results, halted by another Hopkins clinch. The repeated clinching and rough-housing will frustrate Pavlik but he will keep his composure and not deviate from his gameplan.

The final three rounds will see Hopkins fighting in spurts and landing several right hands and Pavlik countering with thudding punches to the shoulders and torso. The action will be sporadic but as earlier in the fight, Pavlik will be more consistent with his offensive output. At the final bell, both fighters will raise their arms in apparent victory.

In the end, Pavlik will be sporting a cut by his left eye and he will have a variety of bruises and abrasions, a testament to the precise counter punching of Hopkins. The judges tally their scores. 115-113, 115-113, and 116-113 for the winner by unanimous decision… Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik!!!

Category: Blogroll, Boxing, Tony Penecale
Tags: Bernard Hopkins > Boxing > Edison Miranda > Felix Trinidad > Gary Lockett > Glen Johnson > Jermain Taylor > Joe Calzaghe > Jose Luis Zertuche > Kelly Pavlik > Ohio > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia > Puerto Rican > Robert Allen > Sugar Ray Robinson > Tony Penecale > Youngstown

UNBEATEN FLYWEIGHTS RAUL MARTINEZ, VICTOR PROA TOP NOV. 14 FIGHT CARD AT PHILADELPHIA’S NEW ALHAMBRA

Posted on | October 13, 2008 | No Comments