Pavlik Ends Taylor's Reign as Middleweight Champion
By Frank Gonzalez Jr.: Two undefeated fighters in their prime, facing each other for the Championship Title. Does it get better than this? And so history was made Saturday night in Atlantic City NJ, where Kelly Pavlik got battered and knocked down badly in the second round, but got up, survived the round, regained his legs and went on to win the fight by TKO in the seventh round when he knocked down Taylor who did NOT get up.
And the new…Middleweight Champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (32-0-29 KO’s) showed what true Champs are made of when he faced the reigning Middleweight Champion, Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KO’s) Saturday in Atlantic City NJ..
Jermain Taylor has won some big fights over some big names like Winky Wright, Bernard Hopkins (twice) and even shut out bloated Welterweight powerless punching machine Kassim Ouma. Against Corey Spinks, another blown up Welterweight, Taylor didn’t look at all impressive. He was unable to stop Spinks, who took him the distance and did enough quality boxing to make arguments that the decision favoring Taylor was questionable. After that fight, Taylor was asked whom he wanted to fight next. He said, “Whoever will make me the most money!”
That answer didn’t sit too well with fans.
Taylor is a tough guy. He DID beat Hopkins twice in my view because he was busier and Hopkins was landing only two, or three punches a round. You can’t win a Championship fight that way. Taylor out-hustled Hopkins to win, but it wasn’t pretty. Ditto with Winky, who just stopped punching in the final round of their close fight. Then when Spinks went the distance with him, fans like me were wondering if Taylor was going to milk the title or fight the best guys out there.
Taylor’s camp did well to choose to fight Kelly Pavlik, who earned his position by impressively beating the highly regarded slugger, Edison Miranda last May. Pavlik used good boxing skills to make easy work of the dangerous Miranda and winning by TKO in the seventh round. He proved himself worthy of a shot at Jermain’s Title.
The fans at Caesar’s Atlantic City cheered wildly for Pavlik as he made his way to the ring. They booed when Taylor followed.
Pavlik’s fans were a big presence at the venue. But this was Taylor’s big chance for redemption, after several lack luster fights against too many blown up Welterweights.
The Fight
It was an exciting fight from the beginning as Taylor came out aggressively, landing the first punch, an overhand right. Taylor looked a bit nervous, bouncing around and throwing lots of wild punches—until Pavlik’s jab started connecting. Pavlik fought smartly and followed his jab with big rights, one that sent Taylor backwards. Pavlik landed the cleaner punches and easily won the first round in spite of Taylor’s early efforts.
Pavlik looked relaxed compared to the hyper Taylor, who wasted too much energy early on. Pavlik was boxing well when suddenly, Taylor threw a barrage of punches and a straight right crashed into Kelly’s face and wobbled him. Pavlik was hurt. Taylor went for the finish and Pavlik went down awkwardly. It didn’t look like Kelly would make it through the round. There was still over a minute to go and Taylor was on the hunt for the finish. But somehow, Pavlik dug deep and survived. Taylor was unable to land the finishing touches.
Taylor also looked a bit spent at the end of the round. Pavlik joked with his coaching staff in his corner during the break and assured them that he was okay. He looked fine.
In the third round, Pavlik was pressing the action behind the jab that kept Taylor moving backwards. Taylor threw some combinations in spurts and was boxing better as he started to get his nervousness under control. Although Taylor had the faster hands, Pavlik landed the better shots.
In the fourth, Pavlik continued to pressure Taylor with his jab and the combinations that followed. Referee Steve Smoger warned Taylor for hitting low and that was the only warning in the fight. It was a pretty close round but Pavlik did more work.
Taylor was well conditioned in the fifth round. He showed a good chin, taking a lot of Pavlik’s punches and using decent footwork to negotiate the ring with the taller Pavlik, who consistently used his jab and was blocking most of Taylor’s punches.
In the sixth, Taylor landed good shots from the center of the ring. Then, Pavlik pressured him into the corner but Taylor fought his way out and managed to land more punches in the round. Pavlik’s nose was bleeding a lot and he was breathing through his mouth. Taylor landed a big right hand before the bell and managed to win the sixth.
They boxed cautiously at center of the ring in the seventh, until Pavlik pressed Taylor towards the ropes again and this time, landed an unsuspecting straight right hand flush into Taylor’s face. Taylor was hurt and he tried to disguise as he moved into the corner but Pavlik continued to pressure him and Taylor took a lot of shots again and again and fell down onto his knees in the corner of the ring. The ref stepped between the fighters and waved Taylor out. Taylor stayed there, with an empty look on his face. He didn’t protest the stoppage nor did he try to get up.
It was over. Kelly Pavlik had won Jermain Taylor’s WBC and WBO Titles.
Congratulations to Kelly Pavlik, who overcame adversity and went on to win by TKO in dramatic fashion. It will be interesting to see how Pavlik handles his business now. With a rematch clause in the contract, will he fight Taylor again immediately or will he go after another titleholder, like IBF Champ Arthur Abraham or WBA Champ, Felix Sturm?
Word is that Bob Arum wants both fighters to fight interim fights before a rematch. John Duddy was mentioned as a ‘next up’ fight for Pavlik. If Taylor fights either Sturm or Abraham next and wins, he’d be bringing another Title to the table in the rematch—that is if both were to win their interim fights.
Imagine the powers that be actually allowing the possibility of a unified Champion in ANY division in pro boxing? I can’t. But hey, you never know. Since boxing is not based on the merit system and all those top contenders in the division will have to sit by and watch as Bob Arum chooses who fights who next, there is one fight I’d like to see, if Arum is listening—Jermain Taylor vs. Edison Miranda!
Pavlik KOs Taylor in Comeback Stunner!
 By Neil Dennis: Fight fans were expecting a brawl and they got one as Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (32-0, 29KOs) took out WBC/WBO champion Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17KOs) in what announcer Michael Buffer declared “one of the great middleweight fights in the history of boxing”.
In the weeks coming into this fight, Taylor and trainer Emmanuel Steward had been dismissing Pavlik’s resolve. Calling Pavlik “overrated” and “average”, Taylor walked into the fight with overwhelming confidence that the knock out victory that he knew would silence the critics was at hand. Unfortunately, he was not the only one with something to prove. At the start of the fight, Pavlik seemed to dominate with power shots that surprised the champ. Then, in the second round, Taylor came alive after catching Pavlik flush.
He landed repeatedly until Pavlik fell to his knees. Getting to his feet, Pavlik showed signs of damage. The blood was flowing from his left nostril and he appeared dazed. Still, Pavlik came back into the fight in typical fashion, not allowing Taylor to take advantage.
Into the middle rounds, it became a high-volume boxing match. In an odd reversal, Pavlik was the one coming out with more jabs while Taylor was the one showing the higher output and accuracy. Taylor seemed to be finding his groove as he refused to allow Pavlik to keep him in the corner. Still, Pavlik would not yield, turning what could have been a domination by Taylor into a seesaw battle between the two undefeated fighters.
Then came the seventh round, as both Pavlik and Taylor came out swinging. Pavlik was showing more accuracy now, as it seemed apparent that Taylor was growing desperate. Hoping to land the decisive knock out punch, Taylor repeatedly left Pavlik opportunities. It all culminated as Pavlik finally got the corner domination he was looking for. Throwing a punch that caught Taylor square in the face, the champ stumbled back stunned and was driven into the corner. Pavlik seized the moment, throwing hooks at will. Finishing off with a solid uppercut to the jaw, Taylor crumpled to the canvas. Referee Steve Smoger seemed as if he was to about to count, but then immediately waved it off.
The embarrassment to Taylor’s ego was obvious. The now ex-champ and his entourage stormed out of the ring before Michael Buffer could make it official. Taylor refused to accept he had been bested by a man at least the equal of his previous opposition, claiming he had punched himself out following the second round knockdown. When asked if Pavlik was the strongest puncher he had ever faced; Taylor’s response was only, “[Pavlik]’s a pretty strong puncher”, then followed that up with comments that attempted to downplay the loss.
As Taylor was trying to figure out what went wrong, Pavlik reveled in the moment. He thanked God, his family and the massive turnout of fans from his home of Youngstown, Ohio for the victory. When commentator Larry Merchant asked Pavlik about what was going through his mind during the knock down in the second, Pavlik smiled.
“You want to know what I was thinking?” Pavlik said with a chuckle. “When I went down I said to myself, ‘s---, it's going to be a long night.’”
Taylor, of course, swore that he wanted Pavlik to be his very next fight. Pavlik stated that he would happy to take the rematch. With Taylor winning on all three judges’ cards, both fighters would be coming back to the ring with something new to prove. And though the rematch clause demands this happen, it still remains to be seen. Much talk has been made of super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe’s desire to fight the winner of this bout, depending on Calzaghe first besting fellow titlest Mikkel Kessler in November. Only time will tell how this situation will shape up.
Pavlik Knocks Out Taylor In Seven
 By Matthew Hurley: In a scintillating middleweight showdown Kelly Pavlik rose from a second round knockdown to stop Jermain Taylor for the title in the seventh round. The highly anticipated bout started fast and the tension level never let up until referee Steve Smoger waved the contest off with Taylor slumped in Pavlik’s corner after two successive right hands and a vicious uppercut.
Pavlik’s title bid looked in doubt in the second round when Taylor, fighting surprising well off the ropes, hammered his bigger challenger with a wicked barrage of punches that sent the Youngstown fighter to his knees. Pavlik rose and tried desperately to clear his head as Taylor went berserk with a misplaced placed headshots. By the end of the round Pavlik seemed to have steadied himself.
As the fight progressed Pavlik began establishing a stiff jab while Taylor fought constantly going backwards. But just when Pavlik would seem to be taking over Taylor would leap forward and keep the rounds close with his hand speed. At the time of the stoppage, Taylor was ahead on the official judges scorecards, but that was all negligible.
“I wasted too much energy in that second round,” Taylor said quietly to Larry Merchant after he had left the ring. “Just too many wasted punches. I spent too much energy.”
That may be the case but Pavlik proved beyond a shadow of a doubt not only his toughness but also his skill. Pavlik also proved that he can come back from adversity.
“Believe me, Taylor can punch and the kid is as tough as a mule,” Pavlik said after the middleweight belts were strapped around his body. “He definitely shook me, but I proved that I could get up and take it.”
There is a rematch clause for this fight that states that a return bout can be held at a weight higher than 160 pounds. Taylor maintained after the bout that he wants an immediate rematch but Emanuel Steward may talk him out of that after reviewing the tape of the bout. The fact remains, regardless of all the criticism Taylor has received in the wake of his fights against Cory Spinks and Kassim Ouma, two undersized opponents, he did fight Bernard Hopkins twice and then took on Winky Wright. He cannot be accused of taking on soft opposition. And he gave everything he had against Pavlik.
The decision lies with Taylor because Pavlik already signed the contract (but contracts are usually broken). There has been speculation that the winner of this fight would set himself up for a match against the winner of the 168 pound unification match between Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler. But Taylor and Pavlik provided fans with such a great fight that they may be made for each. One could argue that either Taylor punched himself out when he tried to knock out Pavlik in the second round or that Pavlik will simply beat him every time the face off as professionals. Still, this was a great fight and Taylor, should he want it, certainly deserves a rematch and Pavlik immediately stated that he wants it as well. Let’s do it again
Taylor-Pavlik with full undercard report
 By Mike Indri, Retired Boxers Foundation - Photos by Sumio Yamada- Atlantic City, NJ - For the 10,000 plus in attendance at the Boardwalk Hall and the millions watching on HBO, undefeated world middleweight champion Jermain Taylor and undefeated top ranked challenger Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik brought their best, and fought their best, in a world title fight reminiscent of Zale vs. Graziano, Robinson vs. Basilio and Hagler vs. Hearns. DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank, co-promoters for this fittingly served night of boxing at it's best, aptly named the fightcard pitting the two best middleweight fighters in the world "Throwback", and both fighters delivered, giving career enhancing performances.
From the opening bell of round one the predominately Pro-Pavlik crowd, with an approximately 6,000 making the trip from their hero's hometown of Youngstown, Ohio made their presence felt; screaming, cheering and waving their towels in such a constant and frenzied manner that left many believing that the ever-vibrant, open-24 hours-a day Atlantic City was actually a "Ghost Town"!
Taylor, the pride of Little Rock, Arkansas, started fast and peppered Pavlik was his stiff jab.
Sensing he had much to prove and not appreciating the negative media feedback from his most recent performances (a debated draw against Ronald "Winky" Wright and two lackluster decision wins over smaller, light hitting foes; Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks) the champ looked to establish early control and confidence. Continuing his fast pace in round two, Taylor's stifling jabs found their mark, and left openings for a two-fisted attack which stung the usually granite chinned Pavlik, dropping the hurt fighter to the canvas. Beating the count on rubber legs, Pavlik did all he could to survive. Holding onto the knockout-minded champion and wobbling, with referee Steve Smoger attentively looking on, Pavlik miraculously managed to make it thru the longest minute of his professional career. Looking at disaster as he arose from the deck, the humble and iron-willed Pavlik realized he had passed a championship level test in being able to listen to trainer Jack Loew's instruction between rounds two and three.
During the post-fight press conference referee Smoger, one of the best in the business, would say that Pavlik was one or two punches away from being stopped.
To the absolute amazement of all, as well as the credit to his fortitude, Pavlik took round three on all three of the judges' scorecards with an unthinkable display. Obviously having weathered the storm, Pavlik backed Taylor into the corners, and onto the ropes, throughout much of the three minutes, and in doing so, made a profound statement. Taylor's chance had passed.
With the only stoppage of action in round four being a warning to Taylor for a low blow, the awestruck crowd knew they were witnessing boxing magic. Filled to the top, the near capacity crowd kept a fever pitch during rounds five and six. As Pavlik's powerful bombs were being equaled by the tenacious champion, raining his trademark jab and quick, precision punches, it looked like Taylor was winning the battle - yet as round seven approached, it appeared Pavlik was winning the war.
Bruised and swollen, Taylor knew he was fighting for his WBC and WBO title belts, as well as his personal pride. While also banged up and sporting a face full of his badges of courage, Pavlik's power had overtaken Taylor's speed and athleticism.
While leading on the three judges scorecards (58-55, 59-54 and 58-55) Taylor desperately struggled to regain control and quickly hammered Pavlik to the body. Leaving his hands down and taking unwarranted punishment, Taylor found himself backed into his opponent's corner. Just as quickly, it was over.
Pavlik, seconds away from being a thirteen-year overnight sensation in the boxing world, drove one of his concussive right hands to the head of the gallant champion, who was out before his body hit the canvas. The equally damaging uppercut and left hook followed but were not necessary.
At the 2:14 mark of round seven Jermain Taylor, the dignified and well-respected champion who so admirably dethroned the legendary Bernard Hopkins (beating him not once, but twice) was knocked out, and Kelly Pavlik was now boxing's newest superstar and world champion!
Pavlik, who is already in talks to take on Irish John Duddy over the 2008 St. Patrick's Day weekend, at Madison Square Garden, improved to 32-0, with Taylor being his 29th knockout victim. Taylor, who will be back to challenge for his championship belts (a rematch clause is contracted), tasted defeat for the first time as a professional, 27-1-1 (17 KO's).
Boxing fans were also treated to a sterling performance by rising star Andre Berto. Berto, fighting out of Winter Haven, Florida, stayed perfect at 20-0 (17 KO's) with a commanding 11th round TKO victory over fellow Floridian David Estrada, 21-4 (12 KO's), from Miami.
Fighting in the co-feature bout, also televised live on HBO, the twenty four year old former Olympian, wowed the crowd with his debilitating offensive attack, which eventually broke down the very gutsy and formidable Estrada.
Showcasing a strong, piston-like jab and a pulverizing head and body assault Berto proved he is for real, and a legitimate threat in the talent rich welterweight division. The impressive win was also a WBC and IBF title eliminator bout, which means the likable Berto, will get his championship shot within the very near future.
Also on the "Throwback" undercard…
Returning to action following more than a two-year layoff was popular former title contender Omar Sheika. Sheika, now fighting as a light heavyweight, was put to the test early as he broke a bone in his right hand after landing his first punch!
The rugged Paterson, NJ native delighted those in attendance with his one-handed 4th round TKO victory over a somehow unknowing Tiwon Taylor, now 26-14-1 (19 KO's). The tough luck Sheika, 27-8 (18 KO's) who was sidelined with previous hand injuries, now faces a big obstacle in his quest for one more title opportunity.
Hot middleweight prospect Ronald Hearns, son of the great Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, made short work of veteran Robert Kamya, dropping the Floridian twice before seeing the one-sided bout stopped at the 2:42 mark of the first stanza. Hearns stayed perfect at 16-0 (13 KO's), while Kamya dropped to 16-8 (4 KO's). After the twenty-eight-year-old Southfield, MI native's blowout win, promoter Lou DiBella could barely contain himself at ringside. "Let's put Hearns in there with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. now, that's the fight I want!"
Highly touted heavyweight Chazz Witherspoon improved to 20-0 with his 5th round TKO win over Ron Guerrero (19-15-3, with 13 KO's). With his cousin, former two-time world heavyweight champion, Tim Witherspoon, looking on, college graduate Chazz pounded the game Texas native, earning his fourteenth victory by way of stoppage.
Three-time New York Golden Glove champion Ronney Vargas (2-0, 1 KO) used his big reach advantage to out box and completely dominate his feisty, yet overmatched foe, Bruce Burkhardt. Burkhardt, fighting out of Marysville, MI. remained winless (0-3), while the highly skilled jr. middleweight returns to his home in the Bronx with a four round unanimous decision win.
Welterweight Carlos Quintana looked good in his overwhelming 4th round TKO win against journeyman Christopher Henry, from Barbados. The Puerto Rican Quintana assumed control from the opening bell and the southpaw fighter proved too difficult and strong for his limited opponent. Quintana's enviable record improved to 24-1 (19 KO's), while Henry dropped to 23-19 (17 KO's).
Philadelphia heavyweight Robert Hawkins surprised many with his workmanlike six round unanimous decision victory over highly regarded Terry Smith, also from Jermain Taylor's hometown of Little Rock, AR. Hawkins quick hands shut down Smith, who fell to 30-3 (18 KO's). The talented Hawkins, who could serve himself well with better conditioning, earned the good win and saw his record improve to 22-9 (7 KO's).
Richard Pierson, a sparring partner for Kelly Pavlik, opened the action with a powerful display against Ray Smith, en route to a 5th round TKO victory, in a scheduled six round super middleweight bout. Smith, now 7-2 (2 KO's) was willing to trade with the Paterson, NJ fighter, yet quickly realized he was no match for the talented, stronger Pierson. Pierson, the victim of a controversial loss in his last match, is now 5-1 as a young pro, with Smith his third knockout victim.
Truly a GREAT night of boxing, as well as a great night for boxing!
HBO treated their subscribers to two magnificent fights; the Taylor-Pavlik battle will be talked about forever, and was a "Fight of the Year" contest.
Boxing was well represented in Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik; two special young champions, who are class people outside the ring. Boxing is greatly served with these two fighters, who are terrific role models.
Big time accolades, and congratulations, must go to all of Team Pavlik.
There is a special bond between fighter Kelly, his trainer Jack Loew, his father Mike Pavlik and their manager Cameron Dunkin. In a business, which generates strictly to the money, it is so wonderful and refreshing to see the real motivation between all of Team Pavlik: looking out for the fighter, LOYALTY, and a true striving for what really should be every fighter's sole dream…to become a world champion.
Very few get to the level that Kelly Pavlik has achieved. He got there because of his longtime trainer Jack Loew, who has been there since day one.
The great thing is that Kelly Pavlik realizes it, and won't let anyone take away what they both have worked so hard, and so long, for.
More fighters should be like Kelly Pavlik. |
