By Mark Vester

WBO/WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, speaking for the first trime since his title defense against Sergio Mora was postponed last week, says that he was well enough to move forward with the fight. The fight was cancelled last week after Top Rank claimed that Pavlik was suffering from a staph infection in his hand. The fight was scheduled to headline a Top Rank pay-per-view on June 27 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Top Rank is looking to replace the Pavlik fight with Juan Manuel Lopez defending his WBO super bantamweight title.

Speaking with hometown paper The Vindicator, Pavlik says the staph infection was minor and he recently got clearance from a doctor to fight.

"I'm healthy enough to fight," Pavlik told the paper.

Last week, Top Rank president Todd duBoef said the fight was being put over because Pavlik needed more time to heal. It's no secret that Pavlik and members of his team were not exactly pleased with Mora as an opponent. There could be alot more going on with these conflicting stories. Despite the selection of Mora, Pavlik's father and co-manager Mike Sr. told the paper that he sent back a signed fight contract over a week ago.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com