Team Pavlik is back home after a tough decision loss to Bernard Hopkins in a Lightheavyweight Fight. Middleweight King Kelly Pavlik didn't have his usual strength, snap or punch volume while Hopkins was at his absolute best. Hopkins' legendary status boasts a 20 year resume with his most significant wins coming in recent years. At 37 he was the first to KO and defeat Felix Trinidad. At 39 he was the first to KO Oscar De La Hoya. At 41 he was the first to convincingly defeat Lightheavyweight Champ Antonio Tarver. At 42 he was the first to convincingly defeat Ronald "Winky" Wright. Earlier in his career he was the first to defeat Glen Johnson and the first to KO or convincingly defeat numerous #1 contenders during his 10 year reign as Middleweight King. One of Hopkins' current trainers, John David Jackson, was a former KO victim. Hopkins' has never been KO'ed and has only lost 2 matches by unanimous decision in his 20 year career (Against Roy Jones and against Jermain Taylor). Hopkins is an enigma because his strategy has evolved with age and has earned him his greatest victories in recent years. He is a rarity because he's an active boxer and consensus future Hall of Famer. Against Hopkins Team Pavlik knew they had to be at the top of their game. An injured elbow coupled with anti-biotics to treat a case of bronchitis may have diminished Pavlik's strengths. His usual energy, punch volume and snap were non-existent from round one. What appears to have been an off night for Pavlik was a night that Hopkins looked his best. It is noteworthy to mention that Jermain Taylor beat Bernard Hopkins twice and Kelly Pavlik beat Jermain Taylor twice.
Vindicator article with an interview with Kelly after the fight
Details examined by renowned Boxing Historian, Thomas Hauser
A Synopsis by Branson Wright with video clips from the fight
8 comments:
Keep your chin up Kelly! I like the fact that you aren't making a lot of excuses. Just a tough fight. They definitely happen. I look forward to watching your next fight! Rest up.
Rod B.
Every dog has his day. Hopkins is an unusual/technical fighter and a tough opponent. keep your head up and don't let this get in your head. You're still the Champ, nothing lost just a lesson learned. Apart from Marciano, all great fighters have lost fights.... Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, the list goes on. But, a true champion can accept a loss, learn from it and push forward as a champion. good luck, I'll be watching and rooting for you.
Ryan R.
Lets not try to take anything away from B-Hop, he was the better man on the night. Like he said after the fight, Pavlik shouldnt let this defeat weigh him down, he will still be a great middleweight champ. Hopkins on the other hand is a legend, a true great
I hope Kelly understand now that stamina/punches-in-bunches and his predator-like mentality won't carry him safe against technical/speedy fighters. His training methods has to be changed to tighten defence and technical skills. I hate to say this, but Pavlik is TOO one-dimensional for "great" fighter. I really hope he'll welcome someone who can teach his new tricks and increase the level of his overall skills. Too bad Nacho Beristain's living thousands miles away from Youngstown :) By the way, it wasn't bad idea from Hopkins to bring him to Kelly's training camps :)
In any case, I wish Kelly all the best for his future endeavors. He's a beast in Middleweight, and this loss will only harden him.
Go ahead, Champ!
PAVLIK IS A TRUE PEOPLES CHAMP!!!! WE LOVE HIM HERE IN NEW YORK. WE ARE VERY BIG FANS.
NO BIGGIE, IT'S ONLY ONE FIGHT. SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO TAKE 2 STEPS BACK TO MOVE 5 FORWARD.
THIS WAS AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFE TIME FOR KELLY TO FIGHT HOPKINS.
THIS JUST PUT MORE TOOLS IN KELLY'S TOOL BOX.
PERSONALLY HE SHOULD NOT HAVE FOUGHT IN THE 170 WEIGHT CLASS, IT SLOWS HIM DOWN. THAT'S NOT WHERRE HE SHOULD BE FIGHTING. FOR 3 MILLION IT WAS WORTH IT. COMON IT'S ABOUT TIME THE KID MAKES SOME REAL MONEY.
YOUR STILL A TRUE CHAMP!!!!! JUST GET BACK IN THERE AND BUST SOME HEADS UP...
YOUR A TRUE CHAMP BRO!!!!
I truly belived Pavlik would beat Hopkins, because I felt Pavlik was tougher guy than Calzaghe, yes it was a tough loss, but at least Kelly did not get knocked out, I think it's easier to come back from a decision loss than a knockout loss, although I felt if Pavlik made some adjustments during the fight, it may have still been possible to beat Hopkins, after 4 rounds, it was evident going for head shots and stalking Hopkins was not going to work like with previous opponents, I think Kelly needed to throw more body punches and even arm punches, and unload more punches whenever he had Hopkins by the ropes or in corners so Hopkins could have room to move, I'm not saying this would assured a victory given Hopkins very good boxing skills, but at his age, it's possbile that Pavlik could have worn down Hopkins by doing more of that, also I feel Pavlik looks like he needs to improve on his balance, I know Hopkins makes fighters look bad, but Kelly's balance looked way off in the fight, but I still think Pavlik is the best middleweight out there and hopefully this defeat won't make him lose confidence, because he's already provided the division with some great fights and I would like to see more in the future.
Team Pavlik as well as Kelly himself are a class act! You are a true champ and take a loss with such grace. I cant wait to see the re-match!A big thanks to you and your team for being such a great example of true sportsmanship,you dont see that much anymore with pro athletes.
Thanks
Megan
A tough fight but I can't wait to see him in the ring again. He's still one of my favorite fighters.
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