Kelly Pavlik

Kelly Pavlik: He came close to greatness

Kelly Pavlik: He came close to greatness

A decade ago, Kelly Pavlik was the undefeated middleweight champion of the world – and seemingly set for greatness. An incredibly heavy-handed warrior with a fierce fighting heart, a solid amateur background and a trusted team behind him, “The Ghost” as Pavlik was known (the nickname given to him when, as an amateur, he was so hard to hit), changed his style considerably in the pro ranks.

continue

When the “O” goes – fighters who were never the same after losing for the first time

When the “O” goes – fighters who were never the same after losing for the first time

Some fighters, be they at the start of their career, at the middle or even coming towards the end, come back stronger after suffering their very first defeat, while other fighters are never, ever the same again after tasting the pain of losing.

Great fighters such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Bernard Hopkins and James Toney have over the years proven how there is so much more than holding an unbeaten record in boxing; each legend returning from a loss with a vengeance. However, some fighters, a number of them closing in on greatness at the time, were all but finished, at least compared to what they had been, after losing their “O,” their prefect record.

continue

Will Kelly Pavlik return to the ring?

BY Robert Jackson – Before for MW Champ Kelly ‘The Ghost’ Pavlik’s unceremonious retirement last week he was on the verge of facing 168lb powerhouse Andre Ward. If not for Ward suffering a shoulder injury that fight was supposed to take place in January or mid February. But alas it was not meant to be, Ward who originally thought that resting that sore shoulder would be enough, sought a 2nd medical opinion after which he opted to have the shoulder surgically repaired.

continue