By Bob Canobbio

Memo to Jermain Taylor: Be careful what you wish for.

Following successful, yet unimpressive defenses against southpaws Cory Spinks (W 12), Kassim Ouma (W 12) and Winky Wright (D 12)- not to mention decision wins over Bernard Hopkins, whom no fighter looks good against, Taylor was matched with the volume-punching, straight-ahead brawler Kelly Pavlik, the pride of Youngstown, Ohio.

Taylor’s wish nearly came true in the second round after an overhand right landed above Pavlik’s left ear, taking away the challenger’s equilibrium.  Pavlik was down once then battered about for most of the round.  Taylor could not finish off the gutsy Pavlik,  despite landing 42 power shots in the round.  Afterwards Taylor explained that he expended too much unnecessary energy in that second round (he threw 75 total punches). Question?  It was only the second round, how can a 29-yr-old champion and acknowledged excellent athlete, seemingly in his prime, gas after throwing 75 punches in three minutes?

Pavlik, who said he dreamed of  winning a title since the day he first laced up a pair of gloves, pulled himself together and actually won the third round on all three judges cards.  He landed 32 of 99 total punches in the third, including 22 of 53 power shots, many that were landing clean on Taylor’s exposed jaw.  More importantly, Pavlik was successfully jabbing with the jabber (he landed 22 of 53 jabs in round three to 11 of 18 for Taylor), setting up his power shots, not walking straight in as the Taylor camp had expected.    

They landed on a even basis in rounds four thru six, however, Pavlik’s punches were straighter and were landing flush.  More importantly, he was setting up his power shots with his jab, averaging 41 thrown and 13 landed in those three frames. 

Then came the seventh, several thudding Pavlik right hands drove Taylor into Pavlik’s corner, where several more finishing punches, at close range, dropped Taylor, as referee Steve Smoger called off the count. 

Overall, Pavlik landed 180 of 460 total punches (39%) to 182 of 369 (49%) for Taylor, who surprisingly led 58-55, 59-54 & 58-55 on the judges scorecards thru six rounds. Taylor had a 105-100 edge in power punches landed, but Pavlik’s got there straighter and with more power.  Pavlik also landed 80 of 250 jabs (32%), averaging 38 thrown per round. 

Pavlik is an exciting, crowd-pleasing fighter with a respect for the game, however, like other punchers, his defense is his offense, a trait that could be exposed as he travels further up the food chain.