Taylor-Pavlik fight breakdown
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Unbeaten Kelly Pavlik (31-0, 28 KOs) gets the shot he's been waiting on for years when he challenges champion Jermain Taylor (27-0-1, 17 KOs) for the WBC middleweight title at Boardwalk Hall in a fight being broadcast live on HBO. Here are the keys to victory for each man:
Keys to victory | ||
TAYLOR’S KEYS | PAVLIK'S KEYS | |
1. Get busy: Pavlik throws a high volume of punches, but if Taylor does the same, it will not only limit Pavlik's opportunity to throw but it might also present an opening for a hard counter shot. | 1. Left hand high: Pavlik can't be sloppy and leave his left at his waist, because Taylor hits hard enough to make him regret it. | |
2. Stay off the ropes: Taylor gets into trouble when he lays on the ropes. That would allow the hard-hitting Pavlik to tee off. Taylor needs to keep the fight in the center of the ring. | 2. Don't wrestle: Grappling on the inside could wear Pavlik down. He has a long, lanky frame and should try to fight at a distance, which will also put Taylor at the end of his punches. | |
3. Overhand right: Pavlik's left often hangs dangerously low. It's an opportunity for Taylor to connect with one of his best punches, the overhand right. | 3. Lead with the right: Pavlik needs to mix things up occasionally and the best way to do that is to lead with his powerful right more than once. | |
4. Start quickly: This is Pavlik's first time in the intense main event spotlight. If he's affected by the jitters, Taylor can best capitalize early. | 4. Spin away: After Pavlik finishes a combination, he shouldn't stay and wait for Taylor to fire back. He needs to end his combination and then pivot away from Taylor, forcing the champion to reset and chase him. | |
Rating the fighters | ||||||
Comparison of Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik on a rating of 1 to 10 in several key categories: | ||||||
CATEGORY | TAYLOR | PAVLIK | IOLE’S SKINNY | |||
Punching power | 8 | 10 | Pavlik has one-punch KO power. | |||
Jab | 7 | 7 | The jab is a crucial punch for both men in this bout. | |||
Body attack | 6 | 6 | Both like to head hunt. | |||
Speed and quickness | 9 | 7 | Pavlik's hand speed could surprise Taylor. | |||
Defense | 6 | 6 | They're offensive fighters. | |||
Chin | 9 | 9 | Taylor has never been down. | |||
Stamina | 8 | 9 | Pavlik wants to get the fight into the late rounds. | |||
Corner | 8 | 6 | Taylor hasn't looked good in his three fights with Emanuel Steward. | |||
Intangibles | 9 | 8 | Taylor has a point to prove to his critics at home in Arkansas. | |||
Total | 70 | 68 | Close fight that either man could win, but expect to see Taylor escape with a unanimous decision. | |||
