By Jake Donovan

You have to give Kelly Pavlik credit. The former middleweight champion not only pays attention to all feedback – good, bad or otherwise – but will beat several to the punch when it comes to critiquing his own career.

Case in point is Pavlik itching to ramp up the competition just two fights into his latest comeback.

“I feel like if it doesn't happen soon, the media will be all over me,” Pavlik said of moving on to bigger fights shortly after bludgeoning journeyman Scott Sigmon after seven one-sided rounds. “It's my 41st fight, I don't have any more time for these tune-up fights.”

Pavlik was in control every step of the way against the grossly overmatched Sigmon in their ESPN2 Friday Night Fights main event, which aired live from Las Vegas. The show was well-placed, serving as a primer for Saturday’s big showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley, which gave Pavlik a chance to perform in a much larger audience than would have been the case had the card taken place at any other time and in any other town.

There were times where it appeared that the night would end early. Pavlik acknowledged that his failure to carry out the precise instructions from trainer Robert Garcia led to the fight lasting a few more rounds than was expected to be the case.

All in all, the win marked his third straight since conceding his middleweight crown to Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City more than two years ago. The loss to Martinez ended a 2 ½ year on stay at the top following his off-the-canvas knockout thriller over Jermain Taylor in Sept. ‘07.

Pavlik fought just once over a span of nearly two years at one stretch following the Martinez loss, while falling prey to alcoholism and bad advice outside the ring.

Separate rehab stints helped fix part of the problem. The other part was one of the hardest decisions Pavlik has ever been forced to make in his life, which was to leave behind his blue-collar hometown of Youngstown, Ohio as he traveled West to Oxnard, California.

The move was necessary for personal and professional reasons. Left behind are the distractions and the new scenery also allows Pavlik to remain under the watchful eye of red-hot trainer Robert Garcia, who took over the reins from Jack Loew late last year.

Pavlik has scored two straight knockouts in as many fights with his new trainer, with only a brief stop back home in between.

“I made that move to get a new start, to get away from my hometown. It was hard because my kids are still in school. I went home after my fight against (Aaron) Jaco and was back out here (Oxnard) two weeks later. That showed my dedication to training; let's get this show back on the road.”

Pavlik believes that his latest win – while serving its purpose in keeping him active – was the last soft touch he prefer and that the progression is made towards the type of fights he once enjoyed during his run towards the middleweight championship.

“I want a big fight,” Pavlik said of his next assignment. “I'm not saying it has to be a world title, but I would like a Top 10, Top 5 guy for my next fight.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter: @JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments via e-mail.