Pavlik to face Espino

AFP - Wed, 25 Nov 09:34:00 2009

Kelly Pavlik will defend his World Boxing Council middleweight title against fellow American Miguel Espino on December 19.

BOXING, Kelly Pavlik - 0

Pavlik (pictured), 35-1 with 31 knockouts, beat Jermain Taylor for the crown in 2007 and will make his third title defence against Espino, 20-2 with one draw and nine knockouts.

Pavlik suffered his only defeat when he stepped up in weight 13 months ago to face US legend Bernard Hopkins and lost a unanimous decision, but bounced back to stop Mexico's Marco Antonio Rubio in the ninth round here in February.

"I'm not going to allow Espino to be the Grinch who took my world title," Pavlik said.

Pavlik backed out of two fights against US southpaw Paul Williams due to staph infection in his right hand but will step into the ring only two weeks after Williams, who replaced Pavlik for a December 5 fight in Atlantic City.

"It's going to be 'Seasons Beatings' for Espino," Pavlik trainer Jack Loew said "Nothing but lumps of coal in his stocking plus a few lumps on his head."

Espino has a four-year, 11-bout win streak, including his past four victories by knockout. His most recent fight was a sixth-round stoppage of former world champion Alejandro Garcia of Mexico in March.

"I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it," Espino said. "All fighters dream of the chance to fight for a world title and now I'm living that dream.

"If Pavlik takes me lightly he'll be making a big mistake."

AFP

Comment 1 - 14 of 14

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  1. That's why Paul Williams has be given the title­ 'Most feared man in boxing' everyone keeps­ ducking him!

    From Tai P, on Tue 1 Dec 4:02PM

  2. So maybe it could be a Ward v Dirrell final? Both fast­ hands and fancy footwork Boxers. But I still think­ Abraham has a chance too. What an interesting­ tournament this really is becoming.

    From The Xentertainer, on Sun 29 Nov 6:19PM

  3. ward schooled kessler - it was bad to watch coz i like­ kessler - he had no answer to wards speed and movement­ - cant see ward geting beat after seeing that but thats­ why the super six is that good coz u dont know who will­ win - kessler getting beat defo makes the froch figt­ more interesting - i would have chosen kessler be4 the­ ward fight - now it a @#$% up

    From noelk999, on Sat 28 Nov 6:32PM

  4. Mind you, Froch may have a­ chance against Kessler­ although I didn't see the­ Ward fight and the­ reports on it were pathetic. Anyone­ know what really­ happened between Ward v Kessler?'' ­ Xentertainer. same here. But from what i had seen of­ Ward before, i was impressed with him. I tipped him to­ beat Kessler and no one was really giving the guy a­ chance. Kessler does not have the best footwork and­ this i feel would put him in trouble against­ Ward.
    Froch against Kessler will be a great fight. But­ Froch has to stop being lazy and come out of the blocks­ quicker. If he does that, then i think he will be too­ much for Kessler. I think i will go for Ward or Froch­ to win the super six. What you guys think?

    From jake, on Sat 28 Nov 2:13PM

  5. Pavlik is a great fighter and Pavlik v Macklin will be­ a great World Title fight next summer. Until then,­ it's a pity Pavlik refused to go to Germany to lose­ to, I mean fight, Abraham. And he's looking good in­ the Super 6 at the minute. Mind you, Froch may have a­ chance against Kessler although I didn't see the­ Ward fight and the reports on it were pathetic. Anyone­ know what really happened between Ward v Kessler?

    From The Xentertainer, on Fri 27 Nov 8:00PM

  6. if you you go to yahoo usa and go to kevin lole's­ boxing cloumn there is article about pavlik - the guy­ actually seems to have had a lot of bad luck - take­ back what i said

    From noelk999, on Fri 27 Nov 8:39AM

  7. yeah apparently there was only a 2 week gap between the­ pull out and the announcement of the next fight.. . .­ .dodgy

    From jack torrance, on Thu 26 Nov 7:31PM

  8. am i right in saying pavlik pulled out of his fight­ with paul williams because of an injury but is now­ fighting this guy!

    From gerrymurphymurphy, on Thu 26 Nov 4:35PM

  9. Hey jake that's not a hint of sarcasm I detect­ there is it? ha ha I really rate Pavlick and fights­ like this are just treading water.The Paul Williams­ fight would have been a belter.You're right­ noelk,he was mad to move up two weights to fight an old­ fox like Hopkins,apparently carrying a virus also,which­ I believe as he was blowing after 3 rounds in that­ fight.

    From jack torrance, on Thu 26 Nov 8:10AM

  10. Pavlik is getting a bit of a joke backing out of big­ fights (injury or not) he should have never of went up­ 2 divisions for hopkins to ruin him - his confidence­ seems gone - old bernard doesnt miss a trick

    From noelk999, on Wed 25 Nov 9:01PM

  11. Pavlik is getting a bit of a joke backing out of big­ fights (injury or not) he should have never of went up­ 2 divisions for hopkins to ruin him - his confidence­ seems gone - old bernard doesnt miss a trick

    From noelk999, on Wed 25 Nov 9:01PM

  12. No contest,this is a guy who lost to Peter Manfredo­ jr­ 5 years age for goodness sake.Pavlick is better than­­ this and quite frankly his fans deserve­ better.'' Jack, i think you're being a bit­ harsh on the guy. I mean he lost to Manfredo Jr, but­ Manfredo jr fought the legendary Calzaghe. Just on­ that basis, i would rate Mr Manfredo Jr as one of the­ best fighters of this generation. HAHA.

    From jake, on Wed 25 Nov 7:34PM

  13. Totalliy agree with you

    From omorehia, on Wed 25 Nov 5:22PM

  14. certainly wouldn't feel like paying to see this­ one.No contest,this is a guy who lost to Peter Manfredo­ jr 5 years age for goodness sake.Pavlick is better than­ this and quite frankly his fans deserve better.

    From jack torrance, on Wed 25 Nov 4:53PM
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