By Mark Vester
At the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (34-0, 30KOs) crushed mandatory challenger Gary Lockett (30-2, 21KOs) in three-rounds to retain his titles.
A crisp jab followed by a right hand stunned Lockett in the first-round. A barrage of clean punches to the head and body sent Lockett down for the first time in the fight in the second-round. Moments later, two more right hands sent Lockett down again. He barely made it to the bell as his left eye and nose was streaming blood.
The damage continued in the third with Pavlik landing some hard punches to the head and body to send Lockett down for the third time. Trainer Enzo Calzaghe threw in the towel to save Lockett from further damage.
Full ringside report coming tonight.