Why is Kelly Pavlik praised for beating up a bum?

[Yokoyo]

Discuss.......

[IconBoy]

Cotto got **** loads of grief for fighting Gomez as well

[abadger]

My theory on this, which I suspect is beginning to annoy my US friends on here (no offense guys!), is that with Mayweather 'retired' and Hopkins on the way down, Pavlik is the only US guy legitimately on the P4P list.

This is an unusual situation for the "Mecca of Boxing", and I think because of this US fight fans are really looking for someone to step it up and keep flying the American flag at the top of world boxing. As a consequence they are currently over-praising Pavlik right now because there isn't anyone else at his level for them to praise, and they desperately want him to be the real deal.

Another part of it is simpler. Pavlik just destroyed an inferior opponent in some style on HBO. For new and casual fight fans with no real appreciation of the broader picture and the relative quality of Pavlik and Lockett he must look like the best thing since sliced bread. Hence the exorbitant praise.

[Yokoyo]

Cotto got **** loads of grief for fighting Gomez as well

Exactly. After Pavlik's fight with Taylor people where saying he looked bad @166 and should go back to 160. All of a sudden he's super man again.