Kelly Pavlik not yet cleared to fight on Dec. 5

by SC on Aug 29, 2009 3:50 PM EDT in News Analysis Comment 7 comments

Middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik is still not cleared to fight on December 5, but the bigger rumor is whether or not he will be fighting Paul Williams at all. (Photo via images.smarter.com)

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Middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik is still waiting for medical clearance to fight on December 5, according to The Vindicator's Joe Scalzo. That is the date HBO would like to use for a rescheduling of Pavlik's called-off defense against Paul Williams, but it's far from final at this point:

"He’s not cleared," Dunkin said. "Right now, we’re just waiting.

"As soon as something’s done, you’ll know."

Dunkin expects to know more early next week after Pavlik visits his doctor, he said.

Dunkin also says that there's no guarantee this fight happens at all, as Williams' promoter Dan Goossen is getting impatient and says Tall Paul has "other options":

"There’s too many variables," said Dunkin regarding a Pavlik-Williams fight. "Too many things could change. That’s why the people who know something about it aren’t saying anything."

Love the sound of that.

I'm betting the fight comes off. I don't think Williams really has another similar money option -- unless he really does fight Bernard Hopkins at 168 -- and Pavlik cannot afford the reputation hit that would come from this, as almost everyone would see it as Pavlik ducking Williams.

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Does anyone even care anymore?

http://twitter.com/FlyByKnite

by FlyByKnight on Aug 29, 2009 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I still do. I agree, this fight has to come off as neither fighter has many options

by SmittytheCutman on Aug 29, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Has anyone's star fallen as quickly as Pavlik's....

Since his first loss to Hopkins, he has just been a whiner. From the Sergio Mora debacle, to bad mouthing the Super Six (essentially saying he was ‘too good’ for the tourney), and finally having the first fight delay because of ‘injury.’ Really prima donna, cut the BS and get to what you do best, and that’s fighting. All the time that you are out of the ring, your earning potential goes down exponentially. Take this fight or else the best thing you are going to become is a Jeopardy question.

by waldo47 on Aug 29, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I still like Kelly Pavlik… Middleweight has always been my favorite division, and having a legit KO artist there is a good thing. I agree that this year has been a throwaway year for him, but that hardly makes him worse than anyone else out there. He’s had a rough one, but the next one might be great. Reminds me of Hearns around ‘81. The whole story isn’t written yet.

I think he’s hedged in by a lot of bloodsuckers right now. Not just Count Arum, but guys that he came up with who won’t let him grow. This happens a lot to hometown heros from hard luck towns. I don’t think he’s a prima donna, but I think the loss to Bernard really hit him hard, because I think hat he genuinely thinks he wasn’t at his best that night. Even that thought itself could ruin some guys. He’s got a lot of natural talent and it’s still possible for him to turn it around. But he needs a new trainer and a new hometown. Philly or New York would set him straight.

"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb

by jrok on Aug 29, 2009 11:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah i think its beyond a certainty that Pavlik need to get the hell outta Youngstown. That might be the source of his recent questionable decisions. Don’t get me wrong, I used to be a Pavlik fan. He was great when he was winning, but I guess a man’s true stripes come out when he is down (aka after the loss to Hopkins). I can’t really think of anything he has done after that fight that would be called honorable or even entertaining. This is the problem I have with him now, all talk no bite.

by waldo47 on Aug 31, 2009 3:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I couldn’t find the link, but I think it was Boxingscene.com that were reporting that Dan Goosen was / is demanding the doctors report from Pavlik.

"Penelosa is not human." -Max Kellerman on Gerry Penelosa during the Juan Manuel Lopes-Gerry Penelosa bout.

by Sickle on Aug 30, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It’s sad for Paul Willams because he’s a great fighter.Although a big fan of Pavlik, I do not see him beating “The Punisher”. Pavlik is one demensional but nevertheless packs hand power in any punch he throws.Paul’s work rate is just too overwhelming though and his reach just further more increases his advantage. Kelly’s not ducking Williams,He really does have problems with that hand. I’d love to this this fight.

by killah27 on Sep 1, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs