Pavlik to fight Dec. 19 in Ohio hometown

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP)—Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik will defend his titles next month against Miguel Espino, in Pavlik’s first fight since February.

Trainer Jack Loew told The Associated Press that Pavlik (35-1, 31 KOs) signed the contract Monday for a Dec. 19 bout at the Beeghly Center at Youngstown State University in Pavlik’s hometown.

Pavlik has had complications from a hand injury and twice backed out of fighting Paul Williams (37-1, 27 KOs), who’s now facing Sergio Martinez on Dec. 5. Loew says therapy on Pavlik’s hand has been going well.

The trainer calls Espino (20-2-1, 9 KOs) “dangerous” and says the fight is no “tuneup bout” for Pavlik. Loew says his fighter would like to take on Williams next, if Williams gets by Martinez.

Updated Nov 10, 2:33 pm EST
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113 Comments

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  1. Brandon
    113. Posted by Brandon Thu Nov 26 11:30am EST

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    I think this is all legit. I live real close to AC and have followed his career. I was present at Taylor I and Hopkins. He has avoided no one over the years and lost recently to possibly one of the top 10 fighters of all time (in my opinion, Hopkins in his prime destroys any of those 80s middleweights -- Leonard, Hearns, Hagler).

    Interestingly, I had the same allergic reaction to Bactrim. Ask any doctor and they will tell you it is no joke. I was hours away from Stevens– Johnson Syndrome, which can be caused by an allergic reaction to Bactrim. I had a fever of 104 and could not move. I was taken to the hospital where I remained on IV therapy to save me.
  2. BILL D
    112. Posted by BILL D Tue Nov 17 2:07pm EST

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    Kelly is a good fighter. I've seen him fight many times. I'm from Y-town and would again go to any of his fights. He is a true representative for the city of Youngstown. Good luck Kelly on your next fight, I know I'll be there. BILL D.
  3. <i>jmarsh79@...</i>
    111. Posted by jmarsh79@... Mon Nov 16 7:16pm EST

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    It almost seems that they had this fight waiting for PW have another contract, Williams signed his contract on Nov. 5 then less than a week later they have a fight lined up.
  4. <i>jmarsh79@...</i>
    110. Posted by jmarsh79@... Mon Nov 16 7:04pm EST

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    The fact is Pavlik wants no part of Williams. Hes going to fight tomato cans as long as he can. Anybody who believes this guy isnt dodging williams is a fool. His camp was saying he couldnt fight until January at the soonest until PW sign to fight Martinez then all of a sudden hes ready to fight on Dec. 19 its a total crock.
  5. mr gametight
    109. Posted by mr gametight Sun Nov 15 1:06pm EST

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    I think its a travesty to compare Pavlik to Hearns, Hagler, ect...

    And I really dont doubt that Kelly Pavlik is a really nice person; I got that from all of the interviews ive seen.. But to say that he was a "great" middleweight champion is %100 bull@#$%.

    Jermain Taylor had mad flaws, and he really never fixed them. But during his run as 160lb champ. he fought the best fights out there: Pavlik 2x, Winky Wright (when NOBODY wanted to fight him) B-Hop 2x, Spinks, ect.. His resume as middleweight champ straight trumps pavlik's by a landslide.

    So now he has a chance to make a legit fight at 160 lbs, gets medically cleared TWICE. His doctors TOLD him that he was MEDICALLY CLEARED TO FIGHT TWICE, and he backed out TWICE.. I dont believe that "bigger payday" bull@#$% one bit. And there is no way in hell that you can tell me that Espino isnt a "tune-up" fight.

    For Pavlik's sake, he BETTER demolish Espino...
  6. youngfields
    108. Posted by youngfields Sun Nov 15 12:05am EST

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    Who cares?
  7. Hooligan
    107. Posted by Hooligan Sat Nov 14 9:04pm EST

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    I'm from Youngstown, and I hung out with Pavlik and his crew at Rocknes one night a couple months ago. I saw that nasty hand for myself. I don't know if he was ducking or not, but the morons claiming he didn't have staph obviously know dick.
  8. Paul J
    106. Posted by Paul J Sat Nov 14 8:33pm EST

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    Pavlik is the biggest @#$% in the ring business today! The only staph infection this loser had was an infection of the balls, because he's got none!! And don't come on here saying, "none of you know Kelly Pavlic, he's a hard working, humble, blah, blah, blah!" He's scared to fight Paul Williams because he knows that williams will knock his ass into 2010!! So let him cancel the fight again only to fight "some chump" in his hometown again, {big surprise there} He's a @#$% that will get NO RESPECT from the REAL BOXING WORLD!!! Hey Kelly, the test results are back, and they say that your hand is fine, but you lost your balls and your heart!!! Perhaps Bob Arum should take this mans dick out of his mouth before he goes on and on about how great this Pavlic is!! LMAO!!! He couldn't sniff the jocks of Hagler, Hearns, or any one of the great fighters that paved the way for loser's like Pavlik to get the easy fights that they do and continuously duck the real opponent's! ASSCLOWNS!!!!
  9. Lou
    105. Posted by Lou Sat Nov 14 7:34pm EST

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    You guys are all talk , listen this guy will be as competetive as any one in his weight class. People know about his right hand and they train for that. I mean when your getting everyones best. As far as Paul Williams, i think the man needed to get paid. I think this is a fight that should be pushed into 2010 bigger pay day for both if they both win their next bouts as far a a bum nooo, any one can get caught at any time.
  10. Kevin
    104. Posted by Kevin Sat Nov 14 11:18am EST

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    Makes you wonder if Pavlik's hand was the reason he backed out of the Williams fight. Perhaps it was his heart, or lack thereof....
  11. <i>blcrom</i>
    103. Posted by blcrom Sat Nov 14 4:23am EST

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    It is a shame that none of you know Kelly Pavlik. He is a humble hard working individual that doesn't deserve being trashed. Things happen in life that are beyond our control and sometimes timming is everything. If only you could say you have accomplished half as much as he has. weather he is the best or not doesn't matter he has done more than you so hate somewhere else
  12. badgerkeeb
    102. Posted by badgerkeeb Sat Nov 14 2:28am EST

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    Seem a little odd to me that his hand suddenly got better once the fight with Paul Williams was scrapped. There is no way anyone could make me believe Pavik didn't just puss out and duck Paul Williams. One day Williams will get his chance.
  13. I_despise_leeches
    101. Posted by I_despise_leeches Fri Nov 13 3:56pm EST

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    Lot of vitriol and hatred on here. Sad rally because no one posting here has a clue about what's going on, especially you pindicks on Yahoo. No, I'm not a Pavik fan, or Williams fan, or anyone's fan. I just enjoy watching sports, but I also keep my mouth shut unlike you morons.
  14. D
    100. Posted by D Fri Nov 13 2:52pm EST

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    I was a big Pavlik fan...until now. Ghost...you can run...but you can't hide. Williams is lurking buddy. You must be having nightmares already...seeing those gloves flashing so fast...feeling "bing, bam, boom"
  15. D
    99. Posted by D Fri Nov 13 2:49pm EST

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    Hendersondiane77...you are fricken ffffuuunnnnyyyyyy!!! good one.
  16. greg s
    98. Posted by greg s Fri Nov 13 10:39am EST

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    you guys talk bad about money may not fighting good fighters,look at pavlik, now he's ok to fight after williams anounced his fight. Who's the real ducker here.
  17. Bearclaw
    97. Posted by Bearclaw Fri Nov 13 9:25am EST

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    straight @#$% back out twice now won't some about 10 days . He Just when Paul Williams then him original has planned.
  18. <i>thealmightycbiggems</i>
    95. Posted by thealmightycbiggems Thu Nov 12 10:23pm EST

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    Face it Pavlik is scared and knows he doesnt have a chance in the world in beating Wiliams, how is he allowed to keep his belt running from high end fighters, then turn around and sign to fight a second rate fighter after crying about his hand, this is why people are losing interest in the fight game.
  19. <i>davidhgi</i>
    94. Posted by davidhgi Thu Nov 12 5:26pm EST

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    Hagler, maybe, but Duran and Tyson?
  20. k1 f
    93. Posted by k1 f Thu Nov 12 3:51pm EST

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    and no modern day fighter can compare to Hagler, Duran or Tyson
  21. k1 f
    92. Posted by k1 f Thu Nov 12 3:48pm EST

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    post # 92 you obviously haven't heard Mayweather or Hopkins " i will never let a while or Mexican beat me "
  22. <i>mcallistertroy</i>
    91. Posted by mcallistertroy Thu Nov 12 2:58pm EST

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    k 1f,
    I assume you are not talking about me. By the way, Jim Lampley constantly reminds everybody about the proud mexican warriors during his telecast. I have never heard black boxers claim I am proud negro coming to fight. Lampley and Bob Arum do it all the time but I am sure they get a pass from you.
  23. Alvin
    90. Posted by Alvin Thu Nov 12 2:50pm EST

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    Pavlik is a disgrace to champions. Williams has conditioned himself the way true contenders should and must be allowed to fight for the title. Pacquiao, I hope win so that Pretty Boy can reclaim being the best pound for pound fighter in the world. Actually, the only fighter I can see beating Mayweather is Paul Williams. Shane Mosely, I think is a house @#$%. Benard Hopkins, He's also a sellout. I love boxing and street fighting! So bring on the best fights???????????????????????????
  24. mike
    89. Posted by mike Thu Nov 12 2:48pm EST

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    i used to like kelly but now this? this is just nuts...
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