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Wales' Gary Lockett will challenge for the world middleweight title in Atlantic City or New York on 7 June, says Kelly Pavlik's promoter Bob Arum.
"Win or lose, we want (Pavlik) to fight guys who are aggressive, and Lockett fits the bill," said Arum.
"Lockett is a rugged guy, a tremendous puncher, and he can take a punch."
The showdown will be unbeaten Ohio man Pavlik's first defence of his WBO and WBC titles since the 25-year-old's back-to-back wins over Jermain Taylor.
After taking the belts from Taylor in September, Pavlik - who has won all his 33 fights with 29 knockouts - triumphed in a non-title rematch last month.
The American's promoters Top Rank have chosen the Cwmbran man, 31, ahead of the WBC's number one challenger Giovanni Lorenzo.
Lockett is trained by Enzo Calzaghe, has a record of 30-1-0 (21 KOs), and has won his last 14 outings.
The Rocket Man's American debut - expected to be officially announced in New York on 26 March - will be a step up in class against one of the world's top fighters.
Pavlik has been touted as a future opponent for Lockett's stablemate Joe Calzaghe, who faces Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas on 19 April.
"Enzo [Calzaghe] is Lockett's trainer, and we expect Joe will be at the fight," said Arum.
"If Kelly wins, which we hope he will and we expect him to, then it sets up a fight against Calzaghe down the road."
Lockett is due to fight ahead of the Pavlik bout on the undercard of Gavin Rees' clash with Andreas Kotelnik at Cardiff International Arena on 22 March.
Yorkshire journeyman Darren Rhodes is expected to be Lockett's opponent.
Posted today @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7295546.stm
If its already been posted, please ignore!
Wales' Gary Lockett will challenge for the world middleweight title in Atlantic City or New York on 7 June, says Kelly Pavlik's promoter Bob Arum.
"Win or lose, we want (Pavlik) to fight guys who are aggressive, and Lockett fits the bill," said Arum.
"Lockett is a rugged guy, a tremendous puncher, and he can take a punch."
The showdown will be unbeaten Ohio man Pavlik's first defence of his WBO and WBC titles since the 25-year-old's back-to-back wins over Jermain Taylor.
After taking the belts from Taylor in September, Pavlik - who has won all his 33 fights with 29 knockouts - triumphed in a non-title rematch last month.
The American's promoters Top Rank have chosen the Cwmbran man, 31, ahead of the WBC's number one challenger Giovanni Lorenzo.
Lockett is trained by Enzo Calzaghe, has a record of 30-1-0 (21 KOs), and has won his last 14 outings.
The Rocket Man's American debut - expected to be officially announced in New York on 26 March - will be a step up in class against one of the world's top fighters.
Pavlik has been touted as a future opponent for Lockett's stablemate Joe Calzaghe, who faces Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas on 19 April.
"Enzo [Calzaghe] is Lockett's trainer, and we expect Joe will be at the fight," said Arum.
"If Kelly wins, which we hope he will and we expect him to, then it sets up a fight against Calzaghe down the road."
Lockett is due to fight ahead of the Pavlik bout on the undercard of Gavin Rees' clash with Andreas Kotelnik at Cardiff International Arena on 22 March.
Yorkshire journeyman Darren Rhodes is expected to be Lockett's opponent.
Posted today @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7295546.stm
If its already been posted, please ignore!