Pavlik was very classy in defeat, unlike Kessler/Abraham

dans16y ago

I was one of those guys rooting for Pavlik's down fall on Saturday. His reign as MW champion was lackluster at best and seemed to drag on with no real highlights. I was rooting for Martinez for sure, and was happy he got the decision. But what I couldn't help but appreciate was the class and dignity Pavlik showed in defeat. While he did mention the cut as a reason for the loss, he did not hang it all on that. He acknowledged that the cut was caused from a punch, acknowledged that Martinez fought a great fight, and acknowledged that Martinez took advantage and beat him in the championship rounds. Comparing his post fight interview with that of Kessler (post Ward loss) and Abraham (post Dirrell loss), it's almost comical. These guys were coming up with anything to explain why they lost (headbutts, acting, blah blah). Whereas Pavlik gave an honest assessment of the fight, acknowledged his defeat, and congratulated the winner. That's what gentlemen do.

Comments (20)

geribeetus

Agreed. I was only referencing the post fight interviews. People are taking this out of context. Can we all at least agree that Abraham showed no class in losing to Dirrell? define class. he was pissed off about a situation he thought was unfair. dirrell's known for falling to avoid fighting. he was feeling a lot of frustration because dirrell was wasting time.

16y ago

titan_m

Pavlik was a cry-baby when he lost to BHOP. and bernard hopkins bitches everytime he loses and he even bitches when he wins like he did against roy jones, all that guy does outside of the ring is complain.

16y ago

Bullet2

As far as I could tell too, BHOP didn't even excessively clinch or try to use his head as a weapon against Pavlik. Pavlik fought a BHOP who didn't even use dirty tactics to beat his ass! Atleast the parts of the fight I caught, I forget if I watched the whole thing. But I remember from the parts I did see of the fight, that BHOP fought clean for the most part. Yeah Pavlik was the one hitting while holding and throwing lowblows.

16y ago

deanrw

Every fighter can get angry after a loss and say things they normally would not. Sometimes a fighter feels cheated, fouled, robbed, etc. They vent their frustration just like any human being would. Sometimes that same fighter just had a bad fight. The roulette of luck didn't tip their way and they know they lost a fair fight and give props where it is due. No fighter can be gracious 100% of the time. They are just human and are filled with emotion. They cannot always be robots and always nice. Sometimes they just get mad and scream injustice. It is all about circumstances and timing.

16y ago

Shadows

Agreed. I was only referencing the post fight interviews. People are taking this out of context. Can we all at least agree that Abraham showed no class in losing to Dirrell? Yeah, Abraham's post fight interview was pretty bad, especially after he saw the replay and still didn't think Dirrell was down.

16y ago

dans

Kessler and AA got outboxed and were totally classless in there statements afterwards. I can understand them complaining if they didn't get outboxed or the match was pretty close but they weren't, not even close. Sergio M. is crazy. I think he just likes to get in the ring (period). During his post fight interview, he started pointing to his swollen eye and smiling like it was a better prize than the two belts he won. I like him because of his pure love of just getting in the ring and his audacious behavior of fighting with his hands down (it is sad to say that one day someone is going to catch him like that). For the most part, he's out of range when he does that. It seems like it's his way of inviting the other guy in so he can punch him.

16y ago

dans

Immediately after the fight, Kessler was bitter. However, he did eventually give Ward credit, saying that he was the better man on the night and came up with the right tactics to beat him. Agreed. I was only referencing the post fight interviews. People are taking this out of context. Can we all at least agree that Abraham showed no class in losing to Dirrell?

16y ago

SoldierWarrior

Haha and his whole team. As far as I could tell too, BHOP didn't even excessively clinch or try to use his head as a weapon against Pavlik. Pavlik fought a BHOP who didn't even use dirty tactics to beat his ass! Atleast the parts of the fight I caught, I forget if I watched the whole thing. But I remember from the parts I did see of the fight, that BHOP fought clean for the most part.

16y ago

dans

Is a comparison between Pavlik and Kessler valid at all? Was Pavlik a victim of excessive headbutting? Did he lose on a DQ?? Of course they cannot compare. Circumstances was completely different so the thread is full of fail. Besides Kessler gave Ward full credit. He also said that he couldn't see out of his eye because of the butts. How can that be not classy? What would you expect a classy guy to say? I think Kessler is very classy in general. No disrespect.

16y ago

Bullet2

Pavlik was a cry-baby when he lost to BHOP. Haha and his whole team.

16y ago

norrin

16y ago

SoldierWarrior

Someone compare Pavliks cry-baby antics after losing to Hopkins to Kessler first loss to Calzaghes. Kessler is clearly the man who gives fighters the most props.

16y ago

Shadows

Immediately after the fight, Kessler was bitter. However, he did eventually give Ward credit, saying that he was the better man on the night and came up with the right tactics to beat him.

16y ago

BattlingNelson

honestly, what else was kessler supposed to say? "no he didn't actually headbutt me all night long, it just looked like that. props to ward" Exactly. Now take Kessler after the Calzaghe defeat. Didn't he give full credit to Joe for spoiling his boxing? He didn't even mention that he fought with a broken hand although that would have been a valid excuse/explanation IMO.

16y ago

geribeetus

Is a comparison between Pavlik and Kessler valid at all? Was Pavlik a victim of excessive headbutting? Did he lose on a DQ?? Of course they cannot compare. Circumstances was completely different so the thread is full of fail. Besides Kessler gave Ward full credit. He also said that he couldn't see out of his eye because of the butts. How can that be not classy? What would you expect a classy guy to say? honestly, what else was kessler supposed to say? "no he didn't actually headbutt me all night long, it just looked like that. props to ward"

16y ago

minasyan

No one has more class then Kessler, did you see him in the Super 6 series just after the fight?

16y ago

BattlingNelson

16y ago

MrClutch85

Pavlik was a cry-baby when he lost to BHOP. yep he sure was

16y ago

dans

I admit Pavlik was gracious in defeat. Props to him. But I dont like how you mentioned Glen Johnson, The guy has been screwed over so many times he had a right to complain. About half of his "losses" were in the other guy's hometown. Johnson has my respect, He earned every inch of success of his career. I do agree about Kessler though, He got his ass whooped for 10 rounds and then said he should have won because he thought Ward was deliberately butting him. Pathetic, The guy got schooled. Agreed to an extent, but you hear from this guy and he acts like he's never been beaten.

16y ago

AKATheMack

Kessler was classy in defeat. He brought up the headbutts which were obviously a factor and also gave credit to Ward which was obviously another factor. Abraham was coming on when his opponent slipped and Abraham knocked him out while he was down. Abraham didn't realise that Dirrell was really down when he hit him so of course he was pissed and disappointed. Not to mention that the round just before he was robbed of a clear cut knockdown so he was probably feeling like he was being shafted by the home town ref.. I don't see what Pavlik could have used as an excuse even if he wanted to. If he complained about making weight, then his rematch clause would become bogus. Apart from that there's nothing to complain about. Were you watching the fight on a black and white television? There was blood pouring from both eyes Ive heard much worse excuses than I got beat because I couldnt see, but he chose to give Sergio full credit.

16y ago