By Mike Cassell – The Philadelphia Boxing Report – When I asked Philadelphia middleweight legend Bernard Hopkins what he thought of Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs), last year, his reply was simply, “don’t believe the hype”. Well, I’m sorry Bernard, I’m believing, buying, and getting in line for some more, when it comes to Kelly Pavlik. On Saturday night, Pavlik returns to the Jersey Shore to defend his WBC 160lb belt against one of Enzo Calzaghe’s best. No not his son, but another slugger from Wales named Gary Lockett (30-1, 21 KOs). Boardwalk Hall is the place where 20,000 screaming fans watched Pavlik climb from the canvas in a very “Rocky Balboa” like moment, to totally destroy Jermaine Taylor last year, the man who beat one of Philadelphia’s toughest, tough guys Bernard Hopkins twice. He met Taylor again in February of this year, and thoroughly outpointed him in a fight that showcased Pavlik’s amazing ring generalship..
Pavlik’s alias is the Ghost, which is very poignant, because none of the top middleweight names really want anything to do with him. Like a slew of Top Rank fighters, even as champion, he is very low key, and seems to fly under the radar. Top Rank has the best talent in the world, but little is being done to acknowledge that fact. It is one of the reasons Miguel Cotto will fight his stable mate Antonio Margarito this year. Nobody else with a pedigree wants anything to do with them. Kelly Pavlik may have to wait for guys like Winky Wright, Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe, Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones to make the big money. In the meantime, Pavlik is recognized as the best young middleweight in the world, and soon dodging him will not be an option. This fight with Lockett will be a warm up for a possible match with Joe Calzaghe. Lockett’s trainer Enzo Calzaghe may be using this fight to get a good look at what his son will have to face. If Joe Calzaghe wants to be considered one of the best, he will have to take a detour through Boardwalk Hall.
KEEP THE CLICKER CLOSE.
If you get really tired of watching Pavlik walk through Lockett, which is going to happen. Showtime television is going put on a pretty good show when Carlos Quintana (25-1, 19 KOs) will meet the man he upset earlier this year Paul Williams (33-1, 24 KOs). Williams was considered the unique freak, sporting an 82” reach and was being called by some, a guaranteed lock to do some great things. Quintana embarrassed Williams the last time out, beating him in a convincing decision. Quintana’s only loss was to Miguel Cotto in 2006. Cotto destroyed him with a knockout body punch. After Quintana clearly beat Williams, HBO’s Max Kellerman asked the question. If Quintana is this good, how great is Miguel Cotto? Answer; really freaking good Max.
You can also catch Sergio Mora (20-0-1, 5 KOs) of the former Contender series, take on the talented but lately injury plagued, Vernon Forrest. (40-2, 29 KOs) This will only be as good as Forrest makes it. If he runs around like he did against Ike Quartey, it could be a boring night. So “Punch FORREST, PUNCH”!
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE BLUE HORIZON
On Friday night at the Blue Horizon, Harvey Jolley (8-8-1, 5 KOs) a last minute replacement for Elieser Castillo (30-6-2, 17 KOs) will face the very rugged Adam Harris (10-0, 7 KOs) in the CRUISERWEIGHT main Event. Harris can be a very fun fighter to watch when he is on his game. To get tickets, go to www.bluehorizon.com