Pavlik does not have a place in boxing anymore. He had a good run, but he will not beat very many fighters @ 168 or 175. I think he beats Andrade and that's it. He's just not good enough and never was, unless he finds that miracle opponent like Taylor was. A flawed, flat-footed guy with weak defense and a suspect chin. Oh yeah bad stamina too. How many top level guys have those weaknesses @68? None.
Good move by Pavlik, as he'd outgrown the middleweight division. I doubt he could've won a rematch against Sergio anyway.
The question now becomes: Does he go to 168 or 175?
There's not too many opponents around at 168 with the super 6 on, and I think Bute would beat him soundly. As mentioned before, Sakio Bika would be an option. Kelly needs to be matched carefully, as he struggles against fighters with decent movement.
Another problem is that the size and power advantage he held over his previous middleweight rivals will be nullified as he moves up to fight bigger men. To get some confidence back, they should throw him in against Jeff Lacy.
Actually 168 makes the most sense. It's the only division for him where he can make any real money. And since the first round will be over after 1 more fight each, there will be at least 2 more fighters to add to the mix of available supermiddleweight fighters. But I think all of them are a problem for Kelly Pavlik, not to mention any of the contenders at LHW would definitely be a problem for him due to his loss of size advantage.
I think Pavlik's run as a top class fighter might have ended now, that's not a criticism of Pavlik really, it's just that his style relies quite a lot on how big he was at 160, that advantage will be gone at 168 and above.
Make pavlik vs andrade that would be a good ass fight two straight forward boxers with good chins and power. If kelly wins he could get a crack at bute. But i think andrade would beat him.
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