My Prediction for Pavlick – Taylor II

Tomorrow night the most anticipated and exciting middleweight fight in decades will take place; the long awaited rematch between new middleweight champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik and former champion Jermaine “Bad Intentions” Taylor. Taking place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas the fight will be broadcast on HBO PPV at 9pm.

Although the middleweight title is not on the line, this fight has the makings of an Epic and historic bout. In their first meeting Kelly Pavlick scored a vicious knockout in the seventh round ending Jermaine Taylor’s long reign as Middleweight champion. For whatever reason they have agreed to fight at a catch weight of 166 pounds. That is why the title is not on the line. The middleweight limit is 160 pounds.

My prediction is that Kelly will score another stunning victory. With a record of (32-0) and a string of the most devastating knockouts in recent memory, Pavlik has captured the hearts and imagination of fans worldwide. He may well be on his way to becoming one of the best middleweights in boxing history.

In preparation for this article I must have viewed HBOs “Pavliks Greatest Hits” about twenty times. Each time it is amazing to see the devastating power, guts and boxing talent of this young knockout artist from Youngstown, Ohio.

In the last fight, Jermaine hurt Kelly badly, with a right hand behind the ear. Kelly then went down after a barrage of vicious punches by Taylor in the second round. However, displaying more guts than any ten fighters I have ever seen, Pavlik got to his feet and in the third round, was landing devastating punches and backing Taylor up. By the seventh round we were all on our feet; when Pavlik hurt Taylor badly with a crunching right hand, that brutally ended Taylor’s reign as Middleweight champion.

As I have watched Kelly Pavlik’s recent fights on film, over the last few weeks, I keep thinking one thing. Where does a tall, lanky, young “white boy” get all this power? I can’t think of any middleweight in recent times who hits with such devastating power. James Toney and Marvin Hagler had stunning power. Jake LaMotta had power. Roy Jones and Tommy Hearns displayed an abundance punching power. Iran Barkley had knockout power. Let’s not forget Julian Jackson; an incredible power puncher. But with Kelly it’s different. He is a brutal puncher!

I take nothing away from Jermaine Taylor. He is a good fighter, with a lot of courage. Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright, Cory Spinks, and many others could not end his undefeated steak. Pavlik destroyed him!

My prediction is Pavlik will do it again. Unless Jermaine is again, able to hurt Kelly early (doubtful this time), with wild punches, the same thing is going to happen. Jermaine will be knocked out again. I think it will be perhaps in the 5th or 6th round. Any fan of boxing must see this fight.