By Jason Kim: Top Rank has made it official today that their fighter former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (37-2, 32 Ko’s) will be fighting 36-year-old Darryl Cunningham (23-2, 10 KO’s) next month on August 6th in a tune-up fight for Pavlik at the Covelli Center, in Youngstown, Ohio.
Kelly Pavlik
Pavlik will KO Bute in November
By Dan Ambrose: I’ve never been very impressed with former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (37-2, 32 KO’s) in the past, but I’ve seen enough of him to know that he’s more than good enough to beat IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (29-0, 21 Ko’s) when they mix it up later on this year on November 5th in the United States.
Pavlik could be facing Darryl Cunningham next
By Eric Thomas: Former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik could be taking no chances of getting beaten in his next fight by taking on 2nd tier fighter Darryl Cunningham (23-2, 10 KO’s) for a tune-up fight on August 6th, according to the latest boxing news.
DeGale a possibility for Pavlik for the fall
By Scott Gilfoid: The talented super middleweight contender James DeGale (10-1, 8 KO’s) is a strong possibility for a fight against former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (37-2, 32 KO’s) for a fight in the fall if Pavlik doesn’t wind up facing IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute. DeGale’s promoter Frank Warren wants the fight, but it would have to take place in the UK for it to make big money because DeGale is an unknown in the U.S.
Pavlik likely to fight a tune-up bout in August
By Eric Thomas: Former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (37-2, 32 KO’s) will reportedly be looking to fight a tune-up bout in August to help get Pavlik ready for a possible big money fight against someone like IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute later on before the end of the year. Pavlik, 29, has only fought once since getting out of the Betty Ford clinic to take care of some alcohol related issues and looked dreadful in struggling to beat unknown Alfonso Lopez last May.
Pavlik vs. Bute in November a strong possibility
By Dan Ambrose: According to the latest boxing news, former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik could wind up facing IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute in November.
After Bute beats Mendy on July 9th, Pavlik or Kessler are waiting
By Dan Ambrose: IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (28-0, 23 KO’s) hasn’t exactly thrilled with the types of opponents he’s faced since capturing the International Boxing Federation strap back in 2007. To say that Bute has been a disappointing champion in terms of opponents fought is a huge understatement. Bute has faced pretty much nobody since capturing the belt.
Atlas impressed with Pavlik’s win over Lopez
By Chris Williams: Few boxing fans were impressed with Kelly Pavlik’s recent 10 round majority decision win over Alfonso Lopez on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley undercard on May 7th. Pavlik won the fight by a 10 round decision but appeared to barely nick it, despite what two of the judges’ scored it for him with the scores of 98-92 and 99-91. I had the fight scored 95-95, as did one of the judges.
Kelly Pavlik not ready for Lucian Bute
By John F. McKenna (McJack): Kelly Pavilik (37-2, 32 KO’s) did not look at all impressive in his win last Saturday night against Alfonso Lopez (21-1, 16 KO’s). Pavlik fought Lopez on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao – Shane Mosley fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pavlik exhibited a lot of ring rust, particularly in the early rounds against Lopez. After being out of action for a year since losing his middleweight crown to Sergio Martinez, it is understandable that Kelly would exhibit ring rust.
Pavlik could face Bute in the fall
By Jim Dower: Former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (37-2, 32 KO’s) could be taking on IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (28-0, 23 KO’s) this fall in a fight that will likely be televised on HBO. Dan Rafael of ESPN says that a Bute-Pavlik fight is possible for the fall should Bute win his July 9th fight in Romania against a still to be determined opponent. Bute, 31, would be a big test for Pavlik, and it’s unclear whether Pavlik’s promoter Bob Arum would be willing to put him in with such a hard fight so soon after coming off a year-long layoff.