By T.K. Stewart
All does not seem to be well in the relationship between world middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and his promoter Top Rank. Youngstown's favorite son has been with Bob Arum since he turned pro, but cracks are beginning to form in their once solid foundation.
Pavlik was supposed to fight Sergio Mora in Atlantic City on June 27, but a couple weeks ago (with little notice) Arum canceled the bout. He said Pavlik was suffering from a staph infection that caused him to have to call the fight off. However, a few days after the fight was called off, Pavlik indicated his hand was fine and that it was basically a non-issue.
Pavlik's manager, Cameron Dunkin, told the Warren, Ohio Tribune Chronicle that he was in the dark about Top Rank's sudden plans to shelve Pavlik.
“I have no idea,” Duncan told the Tribune. “The fight is off.”
Kelly's father and co-manager, Mike Pavlik, was a little more open about his feelings and claims all is not well.
“We are very disappointed,” said Pavlik. “We were looking forward to fighting Mora and the rug was pulled out from under us.”
Mr. Pavlik claims the staph infection was not the reason the fight was canceled. “We have no idea whey they decided to call the fight,” he said. “I've got no idea what they're thinking right now or why they're doing this. We're trying to work it out. We've been with Top Rank for a long time and we've always done what they've asked of us. I'm very disappointed and I'm somewhat upset with Top Rank.”
Nothing definite is on the horizon for Pavlik which is strange since he is regarded as the best middleweight in the world and is a young champion at age 27 that is willing to fight several times a year.
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