By Mark Vester

WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik wants to become the first man to knock Bernard Hopkins out when the two fighters clash at the catch-weight of 170-pounds,  on October 18 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. He says a knockout of Hopkins will make for a major statement.

Hopkins is a defensive fighter, but Pavlik says the veteran fighters will have to open up at certain points during the fight.

“That would be ... one of the biggest statements of the last 40 years in boxing,” Pavlik was quoted as saying by writer Joe Scalzo. “The question is, What happens when he gets hit flush? Eventually his defense is going to lapse a few times. I have to take advantage of that. “[The weight], it’s an advantage to me. I can eat more, so I’ll have more energy and more snap on my punches. I walk around at 175-176, so I don’t have to kill myself to make weight. I’ll be ready to go.

Hopkins has been under fire by the media, with many of them calling him old, and way beyond is prime. Hopkins insists that he's still the same fighter that beat Felix Trinidad in 2001, and plans to prove it in the ring.

“An offensive guy and a defensive veteran — that’s a perfect match,” Hopkins said. “Can Bernard Hopkins derail the Mack truck? I’m going to flatten his tires, slow it up and then it will conk out. A lot of people are concerned about me. I will be OK. I’m not a fool. I’m a thinker. I’m a guy who likes to take big challenges.I will beat [Pavlik] impressively and show the world Bernard Hopkins is a great champion.”

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com