marauder1999
09-08-2007, 11:02 AM
Last month, Pavlik started training again. And, according to Pavlik and his trainer Jack Loew, things are going very well.
"Extremely well," said Loew. "We're actually a little ahead of schedule."
Added Pavlik, "I didn't think I could be in better shape than I was for my last fight, but I am. It's unbelievable.
"It's pretty tiring. I'm training my ass off."
Pavlik and Loew have made two changes since the spring. One, he began working out at a new gym with Paul "Dunner" Dunleavy, an well-known personal trainer in the Valley. (If you've ever run at an area race and seen a guy running with part of a wooden cross across his back, that's Dunner.)
Two, Loew has brought in different sparring partners than the last few fighters, looking for taller, more athletic "boxers" than straight-ahead sluggers. Taylor is known for being an excellent technician and a good defensive boxer.
Emphasis changed
"The last four guys we fought were all bangers who would stay in front of us," said Loew, who brought in New Jersey native Richard Pierson and Tyrone Watson of Reading, Pa., and has plans to bring in others. "Those two kids are very fast, athletic-type boxers.
"That's what we need."
Pavlik has done more sparring than strength work, working on his hand speed and his defense. Although some observers question whether Pavlik has good boxing skills — Pavlik is better known for being one of the most powerful punchers in the sport — Loew insists his fighter is more than just a slugger.
"He's actually a great boxer," said Loew. "The problem is, all the way up Kelly knocked so many people out so early, we didn't get a chance to show it."
It took a few sessions for Pavlik to get used to the different sparring style but he's grown more comfortable.
"Everything's coming back to me," said Pavlik. "It just took a little time."
Pavlik will continue training in Youngstown right up until the week of the fight. HBO, which will televise this month's fight, has been in town several days for an one-hour special it will air before the fight.
Pavlik has cut back on personal appearances in recent weeks — he finally got back on the golf course last week but had to cut his round short after five holes — and has put all his energy into preparation.
"There's no breaks," he said. "Even when I'm done boxing and training, I'll come home and my dad and my family and friends will call or talk about the fight.
"The first thing I think about every day is the fight."
"Extremely well," said Loew. "We're actually a little ahead of schedule."
Added Pavlik, "I didn't think I could be in better shape than I was for my last fight, but I am. It's unbelievable.
"It's pretty tiring. I'm training my ass off."
Pavlik and Loew have made two changes since the spring. One, he began working out at a new gym with Paul "Dunner" Dunleavy, an well-known personal trainer in the Valley. (If you've ever run at an area race and seen a guy running with part of a wooden cross across his back, that's Dunner.)
Two, Loew has brought in different sparring partners than the last few fighters, looking for taller, more athletic "boxers" than straight-ahead sluggers. Taylor is known for being an excellent technician and a good defensive boxer.
Emphasis changed
"The last four guys we fought were all bangers who would stay in front of us," said Loew, who brought in New Jersey native Richard Pierson and Tyrone Watson of Reading, Pa., and has plans to bring in others. "Those two kids are very fast, athletic-type boxers.
"That's what we need."
Pavlik has done more sparring than strength work, working on his hand speed and his defense. Although some observers question whether Pavlik has good boxing skills — Pavlik is better known for being one of the most powerful punchers in the sport — Loew insists his fighter is more than just a slugger.
"He's actually a great boxer," said Loew. "The problem is, all the way up Kelly knocked so many people out so early, we didn't get a chance to show it."
It took a few sessions for Pavlik to get used to the different sparring style but he's grown more comfortable.
"Everything's coming back to me," said Pavlik. "It just took a little time."
Pavlik will continue training in Youngstown right up until the week of the fight. HBO, which will televise this month's fight, has been in town several days for an one-hour special it will air before the fight.
Pavlik has cut back on personal appearances in recent weeks — he finally got back on the golf course last week but had to cut his round short after five holes — and has put all his energy into preparation.
"There's no breaks," he said. "Even when I'm done boxing and training, I'll come home and my dad and my family and friends will call or talk about the fight.
"The first thing I think about every day is the fight."