By Sam Gregory: On the April 17th edition of World Championship Boxing on HBO from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City Kelly Pavlik 36-1 with 32 KO’s defends his WBO, WBC and Ring magazine middleweight titles against Argentinean southpaw Sergio Martinez 44-2-2 with 24 KO’s in a scheduled 12 round bout in the middleweight division.
In round 1 both men came out testing their opponent with Martinez circling both ways while Pavlik threw his jab using it more as a range finder; Pavlik did have some blood visible on his face after the round. Martinez had the better round
In round 2 Martinez came out the aggressor and landed a solid left hand early in the round; after some circling Martinez landed another solid left hand, Pavlik countered with a solid right; Martinez had another good round dictating the offensive flow of the fight.
Round 3 Martinez came out throwing his jab and landing it with accuracy. Pavlik tried to follow Martinez around the ring throwing his jab but Martinez was able to keep his distance avoiding most of Pavlik’s punches. Pavlik had his best round but Martinez won the round
Round 4 Pavlik landed a left hook early in the round; Pavlik landed a solid left to the chest. Blood was flowing from above the left eye of Pavlik. Martinez landed 3 solid right hands. Another good round for Martinez
Round 5 Pavlik threw his jab while Martinez circled making Pavlik miss most of his punches. Pavlik landed a solid left, Martinez countered with 3 solid lefts. Pavlik landed a solid jab; Martinez had visible swelling above his right eye. Pavlik had his best round
Round 6 Martinez circled with his hands at his side; Pavlik threw his jab and landed a combination. Pavlik changed his style of fighting with seemingly more success. Pavlik mounted a comeback and won the round.
Round 7 Pavlik landed a solid jab; Martinez countered with a combination and Pavlik landed a solid right that dropped Martinez. When Martinez got back to his feet he seemed to double up on all his punches. Pavlik had a 10-8 round.
Round 8 Martinez came out much faster throwing his jab and staying in front of Pavlik. Pavlik is having more success cutting off the ring on Martinez. Pavlik was blocking punches in this round that he didn’t block in the earlier rounds. Pavlik worked off his jab with more success this round. Pavlik won the round
Round 9 Martinez left handed opened a cut over Pavlik’s right eye, a lot of blood was coming from the cut. Martinez was much more aggressive and turned the fight around in his favor. Martinez landed a big solid combination that blooded Pavlik’s face. Martinez had a very big round. Easily could have been a 10-8 round for Martinez
Round 10 Martinez came out throwing his jab aggressively staying in front of Pavlik and landing solid shots to Pavlik’s face. Martinez was in total charge of the fight and in control; another big round for Martinez.
Between rounds Pavlik’s corner said he was giving away rounds
Round 11 Martinez lands his solid jab, Pavlik counters and lands a right hand. Martinez landed solid overhand rights and doubling up with his combinations. Martinez landed a flurry of punches to finish the round strong.
Round 12 Martinez landed a shot that sent Pavlik against the ropes. Martinez circled while Pavlik followed him around the ring. Martinez showboated with his hands at his sides a landed his jab at will. Pavlik missed with his jab, Martinez landed big combinations to finish the fight. Martinez celebrated while Pavlik walked around looking disoriented with a blooded face.
After the twelfth and final round the fight went to the judge’s scorecards: 115-111, 116-111 and 115-112 all for the winner and new middleweight champion of the world, Sergio Martinez.
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