Pavlik vs. Martinez on April 17th?
January 30th, 2010
By William Mackay: Dan Rafael is reporting that WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (36-1, 32 KO’s) could be facing light middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (44-2-2, 24 KO’s) on April 17th. If this fight happens, it would easily be the best opponent that Pavlik has faced since he was schooled by 44-year-old Bernard Hopkins in a one-sided 12 round decision loss in October 2008. Nothing has yet been confirmed about this fight, but it would be great news if Pavlik does finally step it up again and fight someone really talented and exciting like Martinez.
Hopefully that will change as some of the younger fighters mature and take over for some of the mediocre champions. Pavlik missed out on a fight against Paul Williams in 2009 because of a staph infection on the left hand of Pavlik. The staph infection healed finally, only weeks after Pavlik’s bout with Williams was cancelled. Pavlik then went on to fight the little known, and badly over-matched Miguel Espino, taking him out in the 5th round in December 2009.
Pavlik, 27, has defended his WBC/WBO middleweight titles three times in three years, beating the following fighters: Gary Lockett, Marco Antonio Rubio and Espino. As I said, the middleweight division is going through a dry spell right now and until some better middleweights move up in the ranks, Pavlik would continue to feast on over-matched fodder.
However, the Martinez fight is one that could be genuinely a good fight, unless Martinez decides to run all night long. Martinez does well against sluggers and he could make Pavlik look as slow and limited as Hopkins did if he’s able to use his speed against Pavlik. Martinez had problems against Kermit Cintron, a welterweight with power similar to Pavlik.
Although Martinez should have probably won the fight by a knockout over Cintron after knocking him down with a left in the 9th round, there’s no question that Martinez had problems with the hard punching from Cintron during the fight. I had Martinez winning the fight by either knockout or decision. The judges ruled it a majority draw.
Tags: 14 Responses to “Pavlik vs. Martinez on April 17th?”
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There’s NO WAY Martinez outpointed Paul Williams in his last fight. Saw the fight. Easily 7-5 rounds in favor of Williams. There was no ass whooping. End of story.
pavlik is well over rated. why dont he move up to super middelweight as in the second fight against taylor was a catch weight & he was pretty much at super middle weight for that. inmy opinion he is just a cherry picker.
Whether Martinez beat Williams or not he did what the others did not – he faced ‘The Punisher’. Now he has the chance to beat Pavlik who (in my opinion) is over-rated. Either way this is another great fight to look forward to in 2010.
this is to the clown who said martinez won 8 of 12 rounds against paul williams. You must be blind. Williams won a close fight no doubt about it. He won the last two rounds which are championship rounds against a tired martinez. He outworked and outlanded through 12 rounds. He threw like 3hundred more puncges and landed like 50 more punches. Its hard for a judge to score for martinez when williams is on his ass the whole night. Just calling it the way it is
kelly will stop him with in 9 rounds at 160 pavlik never been more then 10 rounds / above that 2 fights both 12 rounds aiso pavlik as a ko record as good as tyson in the same number fights not bad ha
i feel bad for pavlik.
If He chooses to go Toe to Toe with Pavlik like He did Williams, They will be carrying Dude out in a Body Bag! Pavlik Hits way harder than Williams.
Pavlik is a better Boxer than Youre giving Him credit for. The pundits said He could not Box in tight either, and he put on a Clinic on how to fight in a Phone Booth as They say. The only way possible Martinez beats pavlik is in a Split decision, I can see that happening because he has faster Hands and is a little better Boxer than Pavlik. He’s not exponentially better like You are saying He is. Martinez whooped Paul Williams Ass in that Fight period!!! if You see that fight any other way, You are not only Blind and in need of some really strong Glasses, but You’re just not real Boxing Savvy at all. Martinez got robbed, and the one Judge Who called it Unanimous for Williams, should be Banned for Life and not be able to Judge ever again!!! Martineez Won 8-4 I ahve watched the fight Three Times now and come up with the same score every time, He got robbed.
Maybe by split decision on points if He outboxes Kelly, if He decides to go Toe to Toe, He will get eaten alive.
If this fight gets to the cards itll be Martinez by UD. Pavlik’s only chance is a KO
Martinez used the ring a lot cuz of williams reach but pavlik is a bit smaller!! I believe martinez can outpoint pavlik
Martinez run all night? More like run and whoop kellys ass all nite.
Ron you are right. Martinez not only outclassed Cintron, he KO’d him in the 7th, and against Williams I saw it even but if they tell me that I have to pick one of them, it was Martinez. Martinez will win this one, too.
This is a great apportunity for Martinez. There is no doubt pavlick has heavy hands but he lacks speed and boxing ability. Martinez in my eyes, outclassed Cintron and outpointed Williams. My money is on Martinez beating Pavlick.