Taylor vs Pavlik this Saturday

[Guest]

Only a few days away to judgement day.
I honestly think this is going to be a great fight.
Nobody on here is talking around it? Really?

I like Taylor to win but part of me will be pulling for Pavlik.

[Guest]

10 out of 14 writers are picking Pavlik to win.

http://www.maxboxing.com/Coverage/Fight_picks092707.asp

[JoelHammond]

Hey FightDr, do you know of anywhere that's showing it? I'm working Saturday, and don't want to have to jet to Ytown to watch it. ...

I've called BW3 in River, they won't have it. If you hear of anything, let me know please. ... Thanks!

[bustedknuckles]

I'm having a tough time predicting the outcome of this fight. Obviously my heart is pulling for Kelly as he has been carrying the torch, and admirably at that, for the Youngstown sports scene since the Clarett fiasco a couple of years ago. While IMO JT has not been impressive in his last two fights, I still believe he will be Kelly's toughest test to date by far. However, the blade cuts both ways here as Kelly has power in both hands that JT hasn't seen. I wouldn't be surprised if this fight resembles the first JT-Hopkins fight in that JT takes most of the early rounds and then Kelly comes on strong in the later rounds to make it very close and interesting...setting up a rematch a la JT-Hopkins.

[Guest]

Not sure who will have it, it's tough to find bars that show HBO.

As far as the fight, I know Taylor has a rematch clause. I think it's a win-win for Pavlik as long as he doesn't get KO'ed early.
I think Taylor is going to be more focused than ever but I know he's never seen power like Pavlik's. On paper, it has the makings of a classic.

I can't wait for Saturday, I haven't been this pumped for a boxing match in a long long time.

[clvmike19]

Do Youngstown proud Kelly!


DEFEND YOUNGSTOWN!


South Side strong baby...

[bustedknuckles]

Here is a link to some pictures of the ring construction, etc.

http://new.vindy.com/photos/galleries/2 ... tion/1630/

There's a lot of trash talk coming out of Taylor's corner the last 48 hours...Kelly doesn't seem phased at all, but I think Jack is ready to declete Manny Steward. The extra hype isn't really neccessary to promote the fight either as it's already sold out and it's on "free" HBO. Manny should know better as he saw firsthand what happened when Miranda and his camp pulled this crap!

[swerb]

90 minutes till showtime.

[Guest]

I have looked at the clock 200 times since 8pm.
I can't wait.

[swerb]

Holy shit ... Pavlik with the scarlet and gray on. I love it.

[swerb]

Kelly looks great.

1st rd to Pavlik.

Jermain looks uncomfortable fighting at this pace.

[swerb]

God dammit. Gotta get your feet back Kelly. Down 1 pt. Great guts withstanding that assault.

[swerb]

what a effing start to this fight.

Kelly, clearly without his feet or punching crispness at 100% after the 2nd rd assault, dominates rd 3.

28-28 fellas.

Lets go Kelly. Come on.

[swerb]

Rd 4 could have gone either way on the cards, one of those key rds if this thing goes the distance (unlikely).

Give the slight edge to Taylor on my card.

38-37 Taylor through 4.

I agree with Merchant, the later this goes, the better for Kelly.

[swerb]

Another close round. Another Taylor round though, unfortunately, on my card. Not by much though. Rds 4 and 5 could have gone either way on the judges cards.

48-46 Taylor through 5.

[swerb]

Taylor looks as good as I've ever see him tonight. Well conditioned, sharp, crisp, effective. Counter punches have been very, very good.

[swerb]

Man, another tight round. These are the types of rounds that traditionally go to the champ, especially a champ as well known as Taylor when fighting a relative unknown such as Pavlik.

Another Taylor round (barely) on my card though.

58-55 Taylor.

[swerb]

HAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[swerb]

What guts. What toughness. What a fighter.

[consigliere]

Thanks for the round by round. I am not watching the fight, but you are keeping my up to date with what is happenin. Hope the local kid wins.

[swerb]

Absolutely dead to rights in rd 2. Was as good as gone. Had no feet whatsoever through most of rd 3.

To come back from that, to battle back against a fighter of Taylor's caliber, and to do that to him in rd 7 ... amazing.

I love it.

[consigliere]

KO?

[swerb]

Taylor leaves the ring before they even announce the winner.

Classy.

We got a new undisputed middleweight champion.

Rematch clause is at 168 lbs. Think March. Hopefully in Ohio.

[swerb]

KO?

TKO.

Took him apart at the seams in the 7th.

What a fucking fight. My god ...

[consigliere]

Going into the 7th round, ESPN had him losing every round and down 60-53:

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing ... id=3041197

[swerb]

What a class act. Great post fight interview.

"Shit, it's going to be a long night"

When asked what he thought when he was down hard in rd 2

"Im just glad I'll be able to eat some pasta"

When asked about the rematch clause at 168

[swerb]

Going into the 7th round, ESPN had him losing every round and down 60-53:

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing ... id=3041197

That's off. Lederman had him winning the fight at 57-56. Personally, I think how I had it was about right. Taylor BARELY won rds 4, 5, and 6 ... but I think he won em.

[swerb]

Taylor is admitting in the post fight interview that he expended to much energy trying to put Pavlik away in the 2nd.

Which is true.

Even more detrimental in my mind ... Taylor came out so hard in rd 1, also rd 2. He was determined to repel the signature Pavlik assault, and came out of the box out of character, expeneded way too much energy. He was effective and very active, but looked uncomfortable doing so.

Pavlik barey withstood the assault, but just got a little stronger as the fight got into the middle rounds. That first big straight right in the 7th was vicuious. Sapped Taylors will. About 12 undefended head punches later, it was over.

Kelly Pavlik is the undisputed middleweight champ. I love it.

[Guest]

Great fight.
What heart by Pavlik and none by Taylor.
The clause in the contract is that the fight CAN be above 160 but it doesnt have to be. Why would Pavlik vacate to title at 160? That makes no sense.
Damn, that was impressive.

[peeker643]

All three judges at ringside had him down on their cards as well.

You're right Rich, he was done in the 2nd with a minute left. Even after he somehow managed to survive that minute without throwing a punch, he stumbled toward his corner and missed by 10 feet bouncing off the center ropes.

You want to talk about heart and will and wanting it so bad it makes you sick, that kid had it in spades. Taylor gave him credit when they caught up to him in the locker room. But Taylor is just lacking that will and that desire.

The difference was when Pavlik got knocked down he got up. Taylor wanted nothing to do with getting back up.

You can't help but feel good for him and for the region. Great, great show.

I also think Taylor and Steward part company after this fight. I think Steward was tired enough of Taylor's laziness or lack of desire to try and start some atypical (for Steward) pre-fight bullshit with Pavlik. Not so much to degrade Pavlik (although I'm sure he wanted to plant some doubt in Pavlik's mind or get him to alter his approach), but more to try and reach his own enigmatic fighter. It was a solid approach for two rounds.

[tribetalk]

KELLY PAVLIK IS THE CHAMP BABY! THIS IS THE BIGGEST AND BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUNGSTOWN IN YEARS!!!

Bring this fight to YOUNGSTOWN! Where PAVLIK wants it!
Have it outside if you have to at Stambaugh...

I'd give anything to see Pavlik fight in Youngstown as a Champ!

[peeker643]

Pavlik should have tons of say where the fight is held. At the very least he has earned that. Although this is boxing. Meaning it'll probably be in Little Rock and officiated by Jermain Taylor Sr.

[tribetalk]

Pavlik should have tons of say where the fight is held. At the very least he has earned that. Although this is boxing. Meaning it'll probably be in Little Rock and officiated by Jermain Taylor Sr.

Pavlik said once he becomes Champ, he wants to defend his belt in Youngstown.... This is his shot...

Chevy Centre-7000
Eastwood Field [Outdoors]- 6000
Stambaugh Stadium [Outdoors]- depends on how you sit them, but could be 16k if u tweak how it would be set up.
Beeghly Center- 6000

If it's anywhere, it will probably be at the Chevy Centre...... but the promoter will have a big say into where it will go, and I'm thinking a promoter does not want this in Youngstown, perhaps in Cleveland.

[swerb]

http://www.maxboxing.com/kim/kim091707.asp

Pavlik has a chance to do some business in Big 10 country, which has been dormant for quite awhile.

"That's the best market," Arum says of the Midwest. "That's always traditionally one of the best markets for boxing. But you need a fighter that's a hometown guy that's going to appeal to those people. And Kelly Pavlik and I, we had a 'Versus' show with him in Youngstown and we did phenomenal. If he is successful on September 29th, next stop Cleveland or Columbus."

Columbus, Ohio just happens to be home of Pavlik's beloved Ohio St. Buckeyes. How bout a fight at the famed 'Horseshoe'?

"Jim Tressel is from Youngstown and he's insisting that if Kelly wins, his first title defense be in that building," Arum says of the current Ohio St. football coach, who once coached at Youngstown St.

[swerb]

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

Pavlik nearly wasn't around after the second round, when Taylor caught him with an overhand right and then sent him to his hands and knees with a fusillade of rights and lefts.

But Pavlik survived the round "as if nothing had happened," marveled Taylor's trainer, Emanuel Steward.

"When I saw that, I said, 'Wow, we're in trouble," Steward said.

[swerb]

[JoelHammond]

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Amj3U.j9H.dwyRT0TidKk5k5nYcB?slug=ap-taylor-pavlik&prov=ap&type=lgns

Pavlik nearly wasn't around after the second round, when Taylor caught him with an overhand right and then sent him to his hands and knees with a fusillade of rights and lefts.

But Pavlik survived the round "as if nothing had happened," marveled Taylor's trainer, Emanuel Steward.

"When I saw that, I said, 'Wow, we're in trouble," Steward said.

Rich, good find on that quote. I sacked up and turned my place into an HBO zone, and wasn't disappointed. I was SHOCKED he made it through Round 2. Helluva fight.

I almost wish I would have gone back to Ytown for the fight, I bet it was bedlam in that town last night.

[Guest]

What a great showing. Talk about making a statement and a name for yourself. Pavlik showed true heart and he deserves to hold onto that title for a long long time.

Those shorts look pretty damn good also.

As far as his next fight being(or a fight after that) in Youngstown, I can't see that happening. If you're a promoter, it makes no sense. Why take the huge momentum and only take it to place that holds 7,000 people?
It would be a great thing, but having it in Cleveland makes more sense.
The shows that have been here in the past have done very well.

[peeker643]

I like the Columbus angle myself. I'd love it to be here in Cleveland, but can you imagine Pavlik sporting the scarlet and gray, with help fromn Jim Tressel and fighting that the 'Schot'?


That'd draw Cleveland fans, YTown fans and a load of support from some rowdy, drunken, loud Buckeye fans.

[Guest]

I'm in.

[yargs7]

Congrats to the Ghost. An athlete with so much heart to go along with great talent and work ethic is destined to be a champion. And Kelly still manages to remain down to earth. That was a huge victory the Mahoning Valley, the state of Ohio, and the sport of boxing.

Way to go Champ!

[mswerb]

I'm liking the Buckeyes trunks.

[tribetalk]

Boom Boom defending his Title Belt at Molenkoph Stadium in Warren, OH. The stadium had 22k in it.



Throw Pavlik at Stambaugh Stadium, and you will see 30k!



Like I said, Pavlik has said once he becomes champ, he wants to defend it in the YO!

[Guest]

I'd like to see it happen, but I don't think it will.

[yargs7]

I'd like to see it happen, but I don't think it will.

Agreed. Chevy Centre and Beeghly Center don't have the capacity. Stambaugh would be ok, but I don't know if an outdoor venue in northeast Ohio is the best idea.

[bustedknuckles]

First chance to post since returning from AC and here are some random thoughts:

* Kelly Pavlik is a throwback comparable to the champions of yesteryear whose skill level and talent is surpassed only by their toughness and fighting spirit. He's as genuine of a fellow as you're going to come by in professional sports today too. Long live the new Middleweight Champion!

* It was the most electric live sporting event that I've ever attended and that includes numerous NCAA Final Fours, NBA Conf Finals, NFL AFC Championship and MLB Playoffs. Knowing the fight could be over any second...and then it almost happening in the 2nd round to Kelly...then the 7th...unfreakin believable...I almost flipped my minnow bucket!

* JT is a great fighter and Manny Steward is a great trainer...but they are not great for each other. After seeing what I saw both inside and outside of the ring Saturday it's time for them to part ways.

* Larry Merchant comes off as a smug, cantankerous jerk on TV, but actually was very cordial and unassuming in person. He took the time for pictures and conversation that he didn't have too...especially considering it was well past his bed time.

[swerb]

Good stuff busted, Im witchu on all of it.

I love Merchant. Hes getting a little senile, but I've thoroughly enjoyed what hes brought to the table on HBO boxing. He'll say anything, is brutally honest, and his post fight interviews are always entertaining.

[clvmike19]

For all those from Ytown..you know Kelly is from the south side.

My brother was at the Evergreens, on South Ave last night and he saw Kelly there. Said he was loaded, and everyone was congratulating him.

How great is it, and how Youngstown is it, to just win the Middleweight title......and go have a beer at the Greens.

I love it!

[peeker643]

He may have been loaded but someone was likely buying.

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=k ... &type=lgns

[bustedknuckles]

clvmike-

You nailed it, that's classic Kelly and classic Youngstown...having a bender just put the finishing touches winning the championship.

BTW-party/celebration for Kelly downtown Ytown Friday @ 5:00 in the Central Square...should be a good time.