Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins: Kelly Pavlik Fighter Focus


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Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins: Kelly Pavlik Fighter Focus

By Brad Marchetti, DoghouseBoxing (Oct 13, 2008) DoghouseBoxing.com (Photo © HBO)

On Saturday fast-rising middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik will take on former middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins. The Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins 12-round main event will be on PPV at 10 PM ET. With the fight drawing closer, I decided to take a closer look at the undisputed middleweight champion Kelly " The Ghost" Pavlik. While some questioned his legitimacy at first, a few punishing wins over top-flight pro's in Edison Miranda and Jermain Taylor have quieted most crtics. In Bernard Hopkins last bout, the old pro finally showed signs of slowing down

in a 12-round decision loss to undefeated Joe Calzaghe. Hopkins relinquished his light-heavyweight title in lackluster fashion. The 43-year old Hopkins faded down the stretch, and he showed diminished reaction time and overall speed. Hopkins will be the smartest fighter that Pavlik has faced in his life however. If the 43-year old Hopkins can make Pavlik pay for being to aggressive, the old man could outpoint the kid. The rational belief is that the younger, taller, more powerful Pavlik will prevail. The Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins boxing betting odds are Pavlik -350 to -410.

Youngstown native Kelly Pavlik had a stellar amateur career, "The Ghost" built an 88-9 record. Kelly has made a smooth transition into the pro's where he is the Undisputed Middleweight Champion with a 34-0, 30 KO's record. That record has a scary 88% knockout ratio that make opponents think twice about trading with Pavlik. In Pavlik's last bought he showed off his complete set of offensive and defensive tools in a 3 round demolition of top-15 contender Gary Lockett. Pavlik was a -1500 favorite over Lockett. Pavlik is a puncher that likes to set up his deadly combinations behind his hard jab. Pavlik throws lots of leather, averaging 70+ punches per round, a great volume for a middleweight. Kelly has excellent fundamentals and knows how to use his defense as offense. Pavlik has great levearge and is one of the most brutal punchers in the sport. With his amateur pedigree, Pavlik has displayed intelligence, and also poise under pressure.

Pavlik stands at a lean and powerful 6'3" tall, 75" reach, size that has given him an advantage in all his fights. Despite his skinny frame, Pavlik is incredibly strong and posseses nasty in-fighting ability with vicious bodypunches. When it comes to conditioning, Kelly has few superiors. Pavlik boxing trains, and cross-trains nine hours per day, six days per week! Pavlik has the ability to think on his toes and make adjustments during a fight, impressive for being only 26 years old. Kelly has lots of heart and a good jaw, but Pavlik has a hole in his defense for right hands. Sometimes Pavlik has to much bravado for his own good and gets hit too often.

Outside the ring Pavlik is a single dad of a newborn baby girl with his girlfriend of seven years. Pavlik is eager to bring boxing prominence back to the Youngstown Ohio the home of the legendary lightweight champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini.

Kelly Pavlik Power Ratings 1-10 Marchetti Scale

*Power: 10 (* indicates x200%)
Size: 9
Speed: 6
Stamina: 9
Defense: 7
Chin: 8
Cuts: 7
Heart: 10
Legs: 6
Jab\Reach: 8
In-Fighting: 9
Ring IQ: 8
Peak: 9

Marchetti Rating: 11.2

Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins Boxing Betting Odds

Kelly Pavlik -350 to -410

Bernard Hopkins +250 to +320

Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins Tale-of-The Tape

Pavlik

Ht. 6'3"
Wt. 160-168
Age: 26
Reach 75"
Record: 34-0 (30)
Style: Puncher\Boxer
Best Punch: Straight Right

Hopkins

Ht. 6'1"
Wt. 160-175
Age 43
Reach: 75"
Record: 48-5-1 (32)
Style: Counterpuncher\Mover
Best Punch: Left Hook

View Betting odds or place a bet: Click Here.