Kelly Pavlik not yet cleared to fight on Dec. 5

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.