By Edward Chaykovsky

Former middleweight champion Kelluy Pavlik (36-2, 32 KOs) is ready for a two fight return package, with the first bout likely taking place on August 20th at the Covelli Centre in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, and the second fight coming in November against IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (28-0, 23 KOs), likely in Canada.

“I hate calling it that [next fight a tune-up], but where I’m at in my career, it is what it is,” said Pavlik to The Vindicator. “Instead of going somewhere else, I figured, why not keep it here? This will probably be my last fight in Youngstown and it’s kind of exciting to fight in my hometown one last time, especially going into a world title fight.”

In May, Pavlik broke a thirteen month layoff to win a ten round majority decision over Alfonso Lopez. Pavlik has taken a good look at Bute's recent fights. He feels Bute's best punches are to the body and he'll be ready for them.

“He’s a really sneaky body puncher,” said Pavlik. “He just times it perfect. Pretty much all his knockouts have come from body punches. It’s something we’re going to have to work on and watch for. I’m probably the biggest name he’s fought to this date. For that type of fight, I imagine I’ll have to go up there. He’s the world champion and me fighting him in Canada would be huge. I can’t see him coming here [to the U.S.].”