Did Pavlik look soft at the weigh in?

[larryx]

I predict Hopkins will Knock this kid out in the late rounds. He looks to be in great shape. If he had any problems I believe he fixed it in Training canmp. Its just the kinda guy he is...I predict a K.O Victory along with an announcement to retire.Feels like a Hopkins night, NIce build up too.

would be a picture perfect story book ending

[Fulcrum29]

would be a picture perfect story book ending

Hopkins will KO him no doubt about t mark my words foo

[Silencers]

I think Pavlik always looks like that, he's one of those guys that just doesn't look like a fighter or an athlete.

[Madmar]

James Toney is another deceiving example when it comes to how you look

If Pavlik had black skin he would probably look more cut, even though he still wouldn't look that great even then.

You know who is another deceptively weak looking fighter? Anderson silva. The dude had like no chest and has a tiny mid section. Yet no one in MMA can touch him right now.

[Scott9945]

So is it possible that I was right about Pavlik not being that fit at 170 lbs? He looks like a monster against middleweights, but rather ordinary at a higher weight.

[LondonRingRules]

So is it possible that I was right about Pavlik not being that fit at 170 lbs? He looks like a monster against middleweights, but rather ordinary at a higher weight.

** He and Poppy had to be broken up at the final bell, so his fitness had nothing to do with his loss.

It was more Poppy completely altering his style and probably training much harder after his shameful Calzaghe performance. Steward and he both said this was his best performance ever, and I agree completely, one of the best technical fights I've seen.

He generally controlled the distance in the pocket and kept ring center to pick shots beautifully. Kelly was off, but still a big strong guy in his face and it takes a lot of conditioning Poppy didn't have against Calzaghe to stay in so close to throw and then to slip shots for 12 rds. Younger Cotto couldn't complete the mission against Marg either.

So Poppy switched the gameplan and for some reason team Pavlik never got any clues about it and wasn't properly prepared. I'd say the fight was similar to Maxim beating Patterson early in his career. Kelly a bit more advanced in his career, but being so tall and gangly he's just starting to enter his prime and got schooled that his power ain't always gonna cut it by itself, a tough lesson for an invincible slugger.