A Ghost No More
 By Julian Kasdin (Oct 3, 2007) DoghouseBoxing (Photo © Raquel Gonzalez)
Coming in to Saturday’s fight the press, fans, and bettors were split on which man would be victorious. Most in the press tabbed Pavlik, most fans were rooting for Pavlik, and most bettors had their money on Taylor. When the seventh round was halted there was no doubt who the winner was as Kelly ‘The Ghost’ Pavlik, 32-0 (29), would have his hand raised in victory after ending the title reign of Jermain ‘Bad Intentions’ Taylor, 27-1-1 (17).
Jermain Taylor was one of the most criticized and disliked champions in the sport, largely due to a string of dubious
decisions, and a perceived regression in skills. This was never more evident then when Taylor would walk towards the ring only to be showered in a rain of boos that echoed throughout Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. This stood in stark contrast to the reception that his challenger would receive. Kelly would saunter towards the ring to the sound of over five-thousand residents of Youngstown, and thousands of boxing nuts who had decided that this was the night to back a new horse.
The first round started with a bang, as Jermain Taylor would charge across the ring and throw a huge right hand. However, both fighters would fight at a more measured pace, working their jabs and rights with Pavlik seeming to get the better of it. In the second round Taylor would have the single best round in several years as he would hurt Pavlik with a hard left-right and then drop him hard. Kelly made it through the round and seemed to settle down in the third as the fight would gradually work towards a much more methodical and deliberate pace. Kelly’s defense would improve, and he established his jab and right hand gradually pushing Jermain towards the ropes more and more.
In the seventh round Pavlik was in control and would finally find the opening he needed. He would throw an off-speed
right hand that rocked Taylor, sending him into the corner, where Kelly would begin to unload on his hurt foe. Referee Smoger would jump in halting the action, and saving Jermain from further punishment. With the win Kelly Pavlik extends his unbeaten streak, and won the middleweight championship of the world. With his combination of humility, power, toughness and skill his future would seem bright. As for Taylor, the former champion needs to go back to the drawing board and seriously look at over hauling his team as well as rebuilding from the ground up. Congratulations to Kelly, the new middleweight championship of the world.
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