07.04.08 – By “Old Yank” Schneider, photo by Eric Mull Photography – In boxing there are very few things that are a certainty; especially when it comes to being consistently correct in making predictions. The variables are enormous. Will a fighter make weight without drying himself out? Can a fighter be assured of not catching a bug a couple of days before a fight? Are fighter’s girlfriends dependable enough to not distract a fighter with a mental KO the morning before a bout? Is anything certain?
Does a hobby horse have a permanent woody? Is the Pope Catholic? Does a fat baby fart? Will “The Ghost” beat Lockett? Yes, yes, yes and YES!!
Over the past seven bouts, Pavlik has met Zuniga (17-1-1 w/ 16 KO’s), McKart (48-6-0 w/ 31 KO’s), Pierre (18-2-0 w/ 13 KO’s), Zertuche (19-3-2 w/ 14 KO’s), Miranda (28-1-0 w/ 24 KO’s), and Taylor twice (27-0-1 w/17 KO’s as of their first meeting). These fighters Pavlik faced had a combined KO ratio closing in on nearly 75%. This is a dangerous lot to be sure. Of course this does not measure up to Pavlik’s KO ratio of 88% (33-0-0 w/ 29 KO’s).
Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik is the most certain thing to come along in boxing in a long, long time.
In Gary Lockett’s comparative last seven bouts, his opponents amassed a total of 38 losses – an average of about 5 ½ losses each. Pavlik’s last seven opponents had only lost 13 – an average of less than two losses each. While Lockett’s opponents were amassing 38 collective losses, Pavlik’s last seven opponents were amassing a collective 115 KO’s. For those who want to know, Lockett’s last seven opponents collectively scored 72 KO’s, with a collective KO ratio of barely over 40%.
Before all of you shut off your cable before the fight even goes off, please know that Gary Lockett intends to try to pull off the upset of the century. Lockett brings fireworks to every bout. He fights in a kill-or-be-killed style. He has a serious punch (boasting a 60% KO ratio). And only 8 of his 31 bouts have gone more than 4 rounds!
The fan is virtually guaranteed two certainties: this bout will have fireworks and there is virtually no chance that it goes the 12 round distance!
As much as I admire the heart that Gary Lockett will bring to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on June 7th, there is no doubt who will win this bout. Is there anything that can stop “The Ghost”?