By Troy Ondrizek
Photo © Scott Foster/FightWireImages.com
Is middleweight contender Kelly Pavlik (31-0 28KOs) the savior of boxing? Many people might feel that question is a bit premature to ask about a guy who never won a title, appeared in a pound-for-pound list or beat an A-level fighter. The pundits who discredit the previous question would undoubtedly have a very credible argument against such. I pose this question feeling that in short time Pavlik will make me look like a genius and the fruition of the compliments I am bequeathing upon him will mature in a half dozen bouts.
For many of us who follow the sport a little closer, Pavlik is a name we have known for some time. I was turned onto him by some boxing friends of mine in the Ohio area when Pavlik decided to turn pro. I wasn’t overly impressed until he stopped Dorian Beaupierre.
Beaupierre is a fighter I was very familiar with since he trains and lives in my hometown of Orlando, Florida. I have never thought of Dorian being a world-beater, but more as a solid gatekeeper. It was after that moment I kept the lanky brawler from Youngstown on my boxing radar.
To be honest, all one has to do is look at Kelly’s roots and from there you can tell a solid foundation for a boxing career was laid. Pavlik hails from rugged Youngstown Ohio, a town that is still recovering from the steel companies’ exodus of a few decades ago and that has forged some respectable and notable fighters like Harry Arroyo and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. My family hails from nearby Pittsburgh and Altoona Pennsylvania and I’ve seen how opportunities to make it out of the region are limited. Boxing is one of the best avenues for young men to break the chains that bind them to the “Rust Belt.” Boxing is a much-respected pastime in the region.
After personally testing my mettle in some of those gyms against the local amateurs; my brain and kidneys can attest to the depth of solid fighters in the area. So Pavlik’s emergence in the amateur ranks from the region helped him hone his skills and literally bang out the imperfections in his game. After all the experience Pavlik garnered in the amateurs and the character strengths that he derives from growing up in that area, it was evident from the beginning that his success was deeply rooted in iron cast gyms and a professional career could easily grow into something special.
I will be the first to admit that Kelly isn’t the most talented middleweight out there. Jermain Taylor has faster hands and a more educated jab. Winky Wright could spend years trying to teach Pavlik his defensive prowess. Arthur Abraham could teach him ring generalship and dirty tactics, and Cory Spinks could help him with footwork.
With all that being said, Pavlik has a solid jab when utilized, his defense is slicker than many people think and he does a good job of keeping his back hand up when throwing punches to avoid counters. Pavlik can box at distance or he can drive opponents backward into the ropes (you notice he doesn’t get driven back to the ropes himself). Pavlik’s footwork is solid enough for him to deliver great leverage on his punches and he is rarely off balance after throwing tons of shots. Pavlik is fundamentally sound and a solid fighter even before his “intangibles” are added into the equation.
What makes Pavlik special is the kid doesn’t stop pressuring, he throws straight powerful shots; he throws body-to-head combinations often forgotten by his counterparts. Added to that, the kid can catch better than he can throw and that says quite a bit about his chin because he can bomb. And most importantly, Pavlik loves to mix it up and give fans want they want to see.
Is there a potential fight for Pavlik where you wouldn’t witness warfare? If promoter Lou DiBella and Taylor pony up and actually give the fans want they want to see by making a bout with Pavlik, Taylor will be forced to actually fight. I have been critical of Taylor’s opposition before, but Taylor is still a very skilled fighter and by no means do I suggest that Pavlik easily handles the champ. Pavlik like Miranda had issues making the middleweight limit.
Imagine a Mikkel Kessler/Pavlik battle, now that would be an epic clash. Pavlik would push Calzaghe farther than Taylor would based on the matchup of styles. At the same time, Taylor is ny no means the bum that Kessler’s promoter Palle feels he is, but his style is literally “Taylor-made” for Calzaghe. Pavlik’s style would challenge Calzaghe’s chin and resolve in a greater capacity than Taylor or any other middleweight.
It is conceivable that at 25-years-old, Pavlik could remain an elite fighter for many years. He says that he wants to retire by the time he is 30, let’s hope not. Kelly can legitimately compete for the linear crowns from middleweight up to light heavyweight. There are some talented fighters in all three of those divisions, who, if conquered, can catapult him into deity status. All are feasible accomplishments in the ring for Pavlik. There is also an articulate, respectful and humble side to him. Qualities that make him a man.
Taylor is an exemplary champion and Pavlik is made of the same mold. People can respect him and he will add dignity to a sport that revels in drama and has few superstars. I’ve placed lofty goals upon this kid’s somewhat unproven career. However, it isn’t complete blasphemy to expect such things from him. I believe the kid will deliver. One day the name Kelly Pavlik could be uttered with equal respect and in the same sentences with names like Tiger, Hagler, Monzon, Greb, and Robinson. Who knew that a savior could be found in Youngstown?