By Rick Reeno
Cameron Dunkin, manager of former champion Kelly Pavlik (39-2, 34KOs), has confirmed an earlier report on BoxingScene.com , which indicates that his fighter will face super middleweight contender Will Rosinsky (16-1, 9KOs) on July 7th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
In the next few days Pavlik will begin training camp with Robert Garcia in Oxnard, California. The fight will be scheduled for ten rounds with a max weight of 169-pounds.
Both boxers have fought in the last seven days. Last Friday in Las Vegas, Pavlik stopped Scott Sigmon in the seventh round, while Rosinsky fought last night in New York City and secured a dominating eight round unanimous decision over Aaron Pryor Jr.
Dunkin expected Pavlik to return around September or October, but the opportunity for an HBO showcase was too good to pass up.
"It happened a little faster than we thought [Pavlik returning against a tough opponent]. We thought we would give him a big fight around September/October, mainly September, but it just didn't work out that way. This opportunity came up and you got to take it. It's a chance for Kelly to get back on [HBO] and it's a real fight and a solid fight. He's ready for that. He's had two warm-up fights and he's ready to fight somebody. He's going to jump on this opportunity and run with it," Dunkin told BoxingScene.com.
Pavlik-Rosinsky will replace Brandon Rios-Mauricio Herrera as the HBO televised co-feature to the super bantamweight unification between Nonito Donaire and Jeffrey Mathebula. Rios officially withdrew from the Herrera fight on Thursday with a right arm injury.
If Pavlik defeats Rosinsky, Dunkin would like to bring him back before the year is out.
"I would think maybe November or December. He would do something before the end of the year, but late in fall - if everything goes okay with this fight," Dunkin said.
