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HBO World Championship Boxing Recap

Kelly Pavlik vs. Jermain Taylor II

February 16, 2008

MGM Grand-Las Vegas, Nevada

Catch Weight (166 pounds) 12-Round Match:

Kelly Pavlik (32-0, 29 KO's, 164 pounds) vs. Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KO's, 164 pounds)

This match is the result of Taylor exercising an immediate rematch clause in his contract, after losing to Pavlik via technical knockout, 2:14 into round on September 29, 2007 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. With the win Pavlik earned the WBO, WBC and Ring Magazine Championships at 160 pounds. However, the contract allowed Taylor to hold the match at 166, rather then try to reclaim all of the titles he had lost. Taylor has elected to use that option, because he was struggling to make weight at 160 pounds.

The first match between these two boxers was awarded the Henry Markson Award for being voted the best fight of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. The match started of in exciting fashion, when Pavlik was knocked down 1:39 into round 2. Pavlik said in his post match interview that his thoughts when he landed on all four's on the canvas were, "Shit! This is gonna be a long night." However, Taylor punched himself out going for the knockout in round 2 and became too tired to finish Pavlik in the round. Taylor landed 52 punches in the  second round, and 42 of those punches were power connects. Pavlik recovered quickly in the corner following round 2, and came out throwing 99 punches in round 3. The Youngstown, Ohio native would continue the rally and stun Taylor with a straight right hand with 55 seconds to go in round 7. Taylor would be stuck in the corner and fail to answer Pavlik's relentless storm of power shots forcing referee Steve Smoger to step in 9 seconds later. When Michael Buffer read the result after the match, he accurately announced it as one of the greatest middleweight championship bouts in boxing history.

The Youngstown native has become a regional hero, since defeating Taylor. The anti-Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Pavlik is a creature of habit who portrays the Rust Belt mentality. Pavlik has trained in the same small gym with the same trainer, since the day he started boxing. To stay to the same routine he started with, before every match Pavlik moves out of his own house and back into his parent's small house. The results are inarguable. Pavlik was named The Boxing Times Fighter of the Year for 2007.

Pavlik is The Ring Magazine Champion at 160 pounds.

Taylor had a stellar amateur boxing career, which was highlighted by winning a bronze medal at 156 pounds at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. The Little Rock, Arkansas native represented the United States, and to qualify for the United States Olympic team, Taylor defeated a then 17-year-old high school student, Pavlik, via decision.

Following the Olympics, Taylor rose up the pro ranks steadily, and became Little Rock's surrogate pro sports franchise. His string of success culminated in defeating Bernard Hopkins. That victory ended Hopkins run of 20 straight title defenses at 160 pounds, and reign atop The Ring's rankings as the number 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world. After defeating Hopkins, Taylor met with former President and Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton.

However, following a rematch win over Hopkins, the public attitude toward Taylor in Arkansas started to change for the worse. His next match was a lackluster 12-round draw versus Winky Wright. Then, main eventing a card where Pavlik looked dominating in a 7-round technical knockout victory over Edison Miranda, Taylor combined with Cory Spinks to have probably the worst match on a major HBO or Showtime television event in the last year. Taylor won the split decision in the match with Spinks. The match featured the fewest punches thrown and landed in a major 12-round match in the last 12 months. On color commentary for HBO that night, Larry Merchant called the match boxing's version of flag football. Taylor's trainer Emanuel Steward was screaming in the corner at Taylor the last several rounds that Taylor was not mentally in the match, and that he was more prepared to face Pavlik or Miranda that night.

Coming out of that match, Taylor said he was in the best shape of his life and very motivated to face Pavlik. Following the loss, Taylor said he was in terrible shape that night and fired Hall of Fame trainer Steward to return to working with Ozell Nelson, who had trained him to box. Nelson has become a father figure to Taylor, and during his bad stretch prior to the Pavlik loss Nelson was going through the same public backlash as Taylor. Reportedly Nelson was having things thrown at him in the grocery store, because of his association with Taylor. Things have gotten better for Taylor and Nelson since the loss to Pavlik, because the fickle Little Rock fans have once again embraced Taylor and company feeling they need the fans' support. Those shared experiences, though lead Taylor to trust Nelson, and why Taylor has chosen to train with Nelson, again.

At 25-years-old, Pavlik is 4 years younger then the 29-year-old Taylor. Pavlik has the height advantage standing 6' 2" tall, while Taylor stands 6' 1" tall. The Youngstown native has the reach advantage with an arm length of 24.5" measured from the armpit to the end of the fist, Taylor's arm length is 23.5" measured the same way. The natural size and power advantage Pavlik has at 160 pounds made Taylor's decision to increase the weight limit for the rematch questionable. However, on the unofficial scales approaching match time, Taylor has the weight advantage, unofficially rehydrating to 171 pounds, compared to Pavlik who is only up to 169 pounds. Both boxers will employ the orthodox stance. Pavlik is an 8 to 5 betting favorite approaching match time according to hbo.com.

The unified rules of boxing are in effect for this match. The referee is Tony Weeks. Since, HBO puts the official judges' scores on the screen after every round, only those scores will be listed for this match.

Taylor has Arkansas written on the back of his trunks, and a likeness of the University of Arkansas mascot, a Razorback (it is some type of pig). Pavlik has the Youngstown State logo and mascot, Pete the Penguin, on his trunks, as well as a logo for the Randy Couture clothing line.

Round 1 begins as a jabbing contest, until Pavlik begins to mix in some powerful right hands that have Taylor backing up with less then 1 minute to go in the round. Pavlik wins round 1 on all of the judges' scorecards, 10-9. The crowd at the MGM Grand is very pro-Pavlik having already broken out in a "Kelly, Kelly" chant during round 1. Close round 2, that 2 of the judges score for Taylor, 10-9, an the other scores for Pavlik, 10-9. Pavlik is consistently backing Taylor up and even when not getting the best of the exchanges is looking impressive by throwing only hard punches that have the former champion in retreat. Taylor has a strong round 3. The Little Rock native spends much of the round staying in front of Pavlik and landing his jab, instead of backing away. However, Pavlik wins round 3 on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9, while Taylor wins the other scorecard, 10-9. After 3 rounds Pavlik is ahead in the match, 30-27, 28-29, 29-28. Pavlik thought round 3 went badly and following the round went back to the corner and asked his trainer, Jack Loew, if Taylor won the round that round, too. Loew quietly nodded back and said, "Yeah." Pavlik's corner have the match after 3 rounds scored in favor of Taylor, 29-28. This fact seems to have Pavlik slightly discouraged.

Taylor's hands are beginning to drop in round 4. This is allowing Pavlik's left jab to land often. This is also setting up Pavlik's knockout combination of the left jab, followed by the straight right over a left hand Taylor is holding dangerously low. Round 4 is very close, and 2 of the judges score it for Taylor, 10-9, and the other scores it for Pavlik, 10-9. A right hand from Pavlik has made Taylor's nose start to bleed from the left nostril, with around 1 minute to go in round 5. Round 5 is another close round that Pavlik takes on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9, and Taylor takes on the other judge's scorecard, 10-9. In Pavlik-Taylor I through 5 rounds each boxer had landed 148 total punches. In this match, through 5 rounds Taylor has landed 86 total punches, while Pavlik has landed 110 total punches. Pavlik works at a strong and consistent pace in round 6, while Taylor only works in spurts. However, Taylor lands showy looping punches during those few seconds of activity and it is good enough to win round 6 on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9. Pavlik wins round 6 on the third judge's scorecard, 10-9. After 6 rounds, the judges have the match scored a majority draw, 57-57, 57-57, and 58-56 for Pavlik. In Pavlik's corner after round 6, it is pointed out how Taylor is tiring and Pavlik, while potentially behind on the scorecards, like in the first match is still fresh. Pavlik is bleeding out of his nose in the corner after round 6.

Pavlik is busier then Taylor in round 7 and wins the round on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9, while the other judge scores it for Taylor, 10-9. Behind an impressive workrate, Pavlik wins round 8 on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9, while the other judge awards the round to Taylor, 10-9. Stamina could begin to play a part in this match for Pavlik, because he has only been past 8 rounds 1 time. In that match, against Fulgencio Zuniga, Zuniga's corner threw in the towel following round 9. Pavlik has gone on to knockout his last 5 opponents since that match on October 7, 2005 before the end of round 8. However, at this point in the match Pavlik appears much fresher then Taylor. In round 9, both of Taylor's eyes are swelling shut, but it is not significant enough to effect his vision, yet. Pavlik wins round 9 on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9, while Taylor wins the round on the other judge's card, 10-9. After 9 rounds, the judges have Pavlik ahead unanimously, 86-85, 87-84, 86-85.

Taylor is busier in round 10 and out lands Pavlik in the round. However, Pavlik takes the round on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9. Taylor wins round 10 on the third judges' scorecard, 10-9. In an unusual circumstance, through 10 rounds all 3 judges have agreed on the scoring of a round only once. That was in round 1, where they all scored the round for Pavlik, 10-9. In round 11, Taylor is very tired and ties up Pavlik on numerous occasions forcing the referee to break the boxers in a match that had been contested on the outside for the previous 10 rounds. Pavlik wins round 11 on all of the judges' scorecards, 10-9. In round 11, Pavlik landed 24 of the 69 total punches he threw, for a 35% total connect percentage. In round 11, Taylor landed 10 of the 35 total punches he threw, for a 29% total connect percentage. Round 11 was Taylor's worst round of the match.

The decision as read by Michael Buffer is that the judges have scored the match: 116-112, 117-111, 115-113, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik. The win moves Pavlik to 33-0, with 29 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

The final punchstat numbers have Pavlik landing 267 of the 845 total punches he threw, for a 32% total connect percentage. Pavlik landed 123 of the 361 power punches he threw, for a 34% power connect percentage. Jabs ended up being the story of the match, and Pavlik landed 144 of the 484 he threw, for a 30% jab connect percentage. Taylor landed 178 of the 456 total punches he threw, for a 39% total connect percentage. The Little Rock native landed 76 of the 164 power punches he threw, good for a 46% power connect percentage. Taylor landed 102 of the 292 jabs he threw, for a 35% jab connect percentage.

In this match Pavlik proved he was the real deal. An elite boxer at 160 pounds, and because he is so young he has the chance to prove himself to be an all time great boxer at many different weight classes. Pavlik's next match is looking to be a defense of his titles at 160 pounds against John Duddy at Madison Square Garden on June 7, 2008. Duddy is a proven draw at the Garden and won a majority decision in an untelevised match on the undercard of the live portion of tonight's show. Assuming Pavlik wins that match, Joe Calzaghe has expressed interest in facing Pavlik next. That match would probably happen sometime in September or December, depending if Calzaghe decides to take a mandatory title defense of one of his championships at 168 pounds. The match between Pavlik and Calzaghe would be held at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, and be for Calzaghe's titles at 168 pounds. It would probably happen regardless of what happens in Calzaghe's April 19 match against Hopkins. All of Pavlik's planned matches for the rest of 2008 are hoping to be available for free on HBO, but the contract between Pavlik and the network have yet to be finalized. Pavlik's people want him to compete in September and December on HBO versus boxers at 160 pounds, but the promise of large paydays can change plans. HBO's Max Kellerman also speculated about a match down the line between Pavlik and Mikkel Kessler, which on paper is a more even match up then Pavlik-Calzaghe. Pavlik with his size has teased making the move up to heavyweight, eventually. Pavlik is larger then current Heavyweight Champion Sultan Ibragimov and several other current top heavyweight contenders.

Taylor had a very strong performance in losing this match. He has dropped out of The Ring rankings at 160 pounds following the loss, but is the new number 10 ranked contender by The Ring at 168 pounds to their champion, Calzaghe. The assumption by The Ring is that Taylor will continue his career at 168 pounds, as he has previously stated. His next match appears to be either at 168 or 170 pounds on pay-per-view versus either Roy Jones, Jr. or Felix Trinidad. His future should require him to begin to work back up the ranks at his new weight class, with the goal of facing Kessler or Calzaghe, soon. However, neither of them is necessarily a great match up for Taylor.